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Author Topic:   Bottom Paint Prep?

Pat Mac posted 12-06-2002 04:21 PM ET (US)
I have read several posts on the effort needed to remove bottom paint. It appears that if the surface was prepped prior to painting, it is a major undertaking. If it was not, it is not quite so bad.
Can you tell before removing the paint if the surface was prepped?
Thanks,
Pat Mac
PFSQUAN posted 12-06-2002 04:40 PM ET (US)
The chemical tie coat that serves as a primer to bind the bottom paint is light gray in color. You can try tapping an inconspicious spot with small, sharp chisel and remove a pice of the bottom paint for a look.
Or, you can try a paint remover that is safe for fiberglass, in a small area and see how it works. The success of most paint removers hinges on the dwell time, that is the amount of time it is allowed to work, and the quantity that is applied.
I have used Peel Away (which requires up to 24 hours to work,) as well as Interlux paint stripper (which works faster, but is nastier) with very good results. But either way, it is a messy job. The only guarantee I make is that after you go through the trouble of removing antifoulant paint you will never apply it the way you did, i.e. thick and sloppy!
Taylor posted 12-07-2002 11:22 PM ET (US)
When I was taking off a section of bottom paint with peel away (for a keel guard) the pattern left by the random orbit sander that was used to scuff up the bottom before it was painted was clear from the black paint left in the deep scratches. This showed after the first pass with paint stripper and a little scotch brite activity. It was seeing all that scuffing that convinced me to leave the bottom paint in place. From the scuffing I'd say that the bottom of my boat was prepared with 80 grit. I can't imagine doing such a thing to pristine gelcoat.

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Author	Topic: Bottom Paint Prep?
Pat Mac	posted 12-06-2002 04:21 PM ET (US) I have read several posts on the effort needed to remove bottom paint. It appears that if the surface was prepped prior to painting, it is a major undertaking. If it was not, it is not quite so bad. Can you tell before removing the paint if the surface was prepped? Thanks, Pat Mac
PFSQUAN	posted 12-06-2002 04:40 PM ET (US) The chemical tie coat that serves as a primer to bind the bottom paint is light gray in color. You can try tapping an inconspicious spot with small, sharp chisel and remove a pice of the bottom paint for a look. Or, you can try a paint remover that is safe for fiberglass, in a small area and see how it works. The success of most paint removers hinges on the dwell time, that is the amount of time it is allowed to work, and the quantity that is applied. I have used Peel Away (which requires up to 24 hours to work,) as well as Interlux paint stripper (which works faster, but is nastier) with very good results. But either way, it is a messy job. The only guarantee I make is that after you go through the trouble of removing antifoulant paint you will never apply it the way you did, i.e. thick and sloppy!
Taylor	posted 12-07-2002 11:22 PM ET (US) When I was taking off a section of bottom paint with peel away (for a keel guard) the pattern left by the random orbit sander that was used to scuff up the bottom before it was painted was clear from the black paint left in the deep scratches. This showed after the first pass with paint stripper and a little scotch brite activity. It was seeing all that scuffing that convinced me to leave the bottom paint in place. From the scuffing I'd say that the bottom of my boat was prepared with 80 grit. I can't imagine doing such a thing to pristine gelcoat.