Bottom Paint Removal

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Carl Bader

I have tried to get the bottom paint first redone and now removed from a 94' Hunter 26 but I live in California and it's the land of no Lead application or Removal. However, I did find one place that would touch it but I was quoted $1500.00 and a three to four month wait and that puts me at the start of the sailing season. The guy at the fiberglass shop suggested I do the bulk of it myself with a product called Peel Away and let him finish the center board and bulk locations. I found the product at West Marine. I would like to know if anyone has tried this product. The only review on the West Marine site said it would make a mess and make any further tries at removal a pain. Am I crazy to try. I don't want to screw up a good boat saving a few bucks. Any help would appreciated. Carl Bader S/V Wind Shadow
 
B

Bill

Paint

If your boat is that new I seriously doubt there is any lead in the bottom paint given all of the recent laws, especially in CA. Why not check with the previous owner and see what paint was applied and go from there. I would suggest sanding but since you don't have any power I guess paint remover is best. I've used peel away, WEST marines version and was not impressed but that was on topside paint. Good luck
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Why?

Carl: Why do you want to remove the old paint? Our H'31 in a 1985 and we just power wash the bottom and apply another coat over the old stuff. Unless you are going to put an epoxy barrier coat on the boat there is not a real good reason to do this (is there?).
 
T

Tony Thomas

Here's How To Do It

Carl, I have a 23 and just finished redoing the bottom job; all by myself! I will try to put this in some easy steps. 1. West Marine was right, it is a huge mess and also expensive. The first thing you want to do is remove any barnacles(if there are any) with a putty blade. Plastic or metal is fine what ever works best for you. I had to use a hammer and chisel to get the oysters off my wing keel. 2. I prefer no electricity because power sanders and drills with sanding pads can quickly sand too deep into the gelcoat. So if you don't mind bending over backwards this will work great.Also, make sure to wear a painter's suit($10 at West Marine, a mask, and a pair of goggles. If the paint is bubbling or pealing a green scouring pad works great.They come with handles and various materials and textures(also can be found at West) Next experiment with sandpaper to find the right grade and start sanding. 3.Just in case your centerboard is metal and you sanded that far use osfo to treat ther metal.4. So now after you have finished sanding take a damp towel and clean up all the paint dust leftover on the boat. You may want to use something to prep the surface like acetone. It will depend on the paint you use. 5. Go to the store and get some antifouling paint. MAKE sure it is at least 75% copper. This will last alot longer as far as barnacles go. Get some rollers and a couple of brushes and start painting. 6. You want to make sure that you put at least two coats(I put 3) for the first six inches down from the water line. Two coats for the whole bottom is even better. Let it cure for about 24-48 hours and then put your boat back in the water. I may have left out some details that you might have trouble with (brands, boat jacks, etc) Email me if you have any questions liv2sail@angelfire.com Tony
 
J

Jim

did it myself

I bought my 1976 25ft. Hunter and the first thing I did was take off the bottom paint to get it ready to repaint.I Used a orbital sander with a pickup for the stuff sanded off. The pickup tube was connected to a shop vac. I wore a tyfac suit and eye protection and a filter mask. It is alot of work but I could not afford to pay to have it done. Just like any other object that is painted, the more paint there is, the more weight there is on the boat,also the paint becomes thick and soft. Also when you do your own work you see the condition of the bottom yourself and you can make judgement on it's condition yourself.
 
B

Bob Greenfield

Bottom paint

We just sanded (electric orbiter) the loose and easy to take off paint. Then wiped the dust off with acetone. We used Interlux with Micron using 2 coats and a different color than the old paint. Entire job was finished in 2 days.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.