Bottom Job

[Howard]

I've just come from my old H-27 for mid winter check. The bottom paint is flaking all over. There are no blisters in the fiberclass. It looks as if moisture has gotten behing the bottom paint and when it freeses it spalls the paint off. I don't think that the bottom was ever stripped before. Under the bottom paint (whihc has always been blue) is a pretty uniform brownish dull paint that looks like it might be the barrier coat? In any case I think I'll need to remove the bottom paint and start fresh. I don't want to sand it or blast it and was thinking of one of the chemical strippers made for bottom work. Several questions:1) Has anyone had good experience with the chemical strippers? Which ones?2) If you use a chemical stripper how warm does it have to be outside. (I in New York )3) Do you use a plastic or paper cover overnight on the stripper?3) After the stripper do you have to put a new barrier coat on? I've never done this before ? Any suggestions from you out ther would be of great help.ThanksHN

 

[Richard Marble]

Paint Scraper works well

You might think about a good mask and protective clothing, round the edges on apaint scaper and a little work. Its cheap it works great and not nearly a messy. Oh ya, you'll have to scrape if you use paint stipper anyway.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Start with scraper.

I took my H37C bottom down to gelcoat with scrapers as Richard suggested. One was six inches wide, the other two. The kind with replaceable blades. I also rounded the corners so as not to gouge anything.Start with this since you say the paint is flaking off. It may come off easily. Then you could use the stripper if necessary. Stuff at Home Depot is the same, see the Forum Archives.I think you need to scrape to determine if there is a barrier coat. I am guessing it is another anti-fouling that was not compatible with the top coat(s). If it is a barrier coat it will be very hard to scrape through to get to the white gelcoat. It could also simply be the way the gelcoat stains from the paint. I had to sand some patches like that before I did the barrier coat.I would call Interlux with your question about strippers on barrier coat. I do not think it is a problem since barrier coat is a two-part epoxy. But you need to be certain. Then if it is not barrier coat the next question. Do you barrier coat after stripping? Most would say no, if there are no blisters after all these years then there never will be. I had a few minor blisters but barrier-coated just for piece of mind. Good luck.