Rmoval of Paint and restoration of GRP

[chas underhay]

Greetings All

I have recently bought another boat after a long lay off. My previous experience of boats is now twenty years out of date.

The boat in question is very sound and seaworthy and in excelent mechanical and electrical condition.

Unfortunately a previous owner hand painted the hull and not very well. You can also see quite a few minor scratches and blemishes under the paint.

Can anyone advise the best way of removing the old paint and repairing the scratches in the gel coat, or I would be better off getting a proffessional respray, or what other alternatives are there?

Any ideas??

Cheers

[David Cowen]

You may find, like I have that the application of paint to your hull has rendered the gel coat useless and it may be more hassle than its worth trying to restore. Awlgrip paint is getting some good press at the moment for its quality of finish and I'm sure there are others out there as good as! Try this link www.awlgrip.com This months uk practical boat owner ran an article on this paint and it looked great when finished on the topside of a Yacht. I am not one one of the knowleable of this forum but I hope this will give you a start. Once you have decided what you want to do I would post here again just to make sure. I know this forum has save me time and trouble already, Cheers!

[Ilan Voyager]

On a small boat you can do yourself the job.

I do not use chemical strippers as old gelcoats are sometimes porous and washing the chemical will become troublesome. Also these chemical are very dangerous.
I stay with wet sanding (3M paper and and a lot of water with a few drops of detergent) and a air sander (electricity and water...no): it's faster that you can believe, the old paints goes in powder.

After you have to seal the polyester with an epoxy primary sealer. 2 or 3 coats at least. Filling with a polyurethane or epoxy filler paste and/or paint (not polyester please you'll ruin your paint job), resanding and for small boat I use acrylic automotive paint with the hardener kit. Easy, works with amateur material, dries fast (3 coats in the day) and may be polished if needed. These paints last at least 3 years of abuse under a fierce tropical sun.

[chas underhay]

Sorry about the delay in responding and thanking you for your replies and advice, I ve been away for a while, no, not in the nick, working.

This Boat Design forum looks to be a good source of information.

Cheers