removing paint from gelcoat
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2699
Printed Date: January-16-2025 at 6:10am
Topic: removing paint from gelcoat
Posted By: markb
Subject: removing paint from gelcoat
Date Posted: November-07-2005 at 2:42pm
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Hi,
Been spamming you guys lately but I have too many questions :-) On close inspection of my '76 it appears that at one stage of it's life it had been painted white over the gelcoat. It's got a bunch of spider cracks etc so in the near future it's looking at a repaint or something of that nature. My first idea is to see if I can remove the top layer of paint and restore/repair the gelcoat. If it's too far gone it's 2 pack polyurethane over the whole lot and new decals. Anyone got any idea if the layer of paint(it's pretty badly oxidised and thin) could be easily removed. I am a**uming it will need to be sanded back but stripping it and uncovering the gelcoat would be my preferred option. Any ideas on this one appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: fishyflorida
Date Posted: November-08-2005 at 7:53am
| If you try sanding it off, you will most likely accidentally damage the gelcoat underneath. (Coarse enough sandpaper to remove the paint without loading up will deeply scratch the gelcoat). On the chance that the gelcoat can be salvaged, try a stripper that is safe for fibergla**, such as "Peel-Away". It's not fun, but with only a thin layer of paint it should come off quickly. |
Posted By: 82tique
Date Posted: November-08-2005 at 8:45am
two words....oven cleaner 
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Posted By: markb
Date Posted: November-09-2005 at 8:15pm
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This is known to soften gel coat not that this is a drama as it will be primed and polyurethaned afterwards as I assume it was painted for a reason.
I was thinking citristrip as well but it may well be an oven cleaner fest. |
Posted By: 79nautique
Date Posted: November-10-2005 at 11:26am
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you don't have to use coarse sand paper to remove the paint, 1000 grit and a DA will get the job done in no time. Took me all of ten minutes to remove the stern lettering this way. Now if you are doing this by hand then that's another story. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=756&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1979&yrend=1979 - 79 nautique |