bottom stripping

[duality]

i just researched the archives about bottom paint stripping, i discovered that peel away was widely accepted to use as a bottom stripper. i also found one post for a product named "no swett" after a google search it provided little info other than it was used for grafiti removel. my question is is peel away still the way to go? i would like to do this soon and my boat is in michigan for winter hibenation so it is not very warm. any more info on this no swett?. any new products out there? i dont know what is on my bottom now, it is a '84 34' and i would like to go to vc17, interlux recommends i use interprotec 2000 as a base once i get the old paint off. regards,mike

 

[John]

peel away

Hi Mike I like the peel away and bought some from Home depto its the same stuff that comes from WM or BW but alot cheeeeeper I bought a small can and tryed it on a spot and It worked real good peeled off alot of paint .I think some washing and sanding and It will be looking good .I did a spot that was about three feetlong and two feet hight.next year Im going for it. John

 

[Bill O'Donovan]

Not for me

Peel Away was a bust. I had the yard sand the old paint off instead.

 

[steve]

sand blast

I striped the bottom of two boats I owned. the first one I sanded...never again. The seconed I sand blasted with Black Beauty form Home Depo or you can use beads like the boat yards(its gentel but to much $$) The second boat was 34' and I finished in 6 hours and about $120 in rental equpt. Its just common sense keep moving and don't get to close find a medium. I then applied 5 gallons of Barrier coat form interlux and bottom paint. Turned out great. Just do the last inch at the water line by hand

 

[Rich]

Soda blasting

I think the "little beads" Steve is referring to is the process called "Soda blasting", which is much kinder to the hull than sand blasting, which strips away the gelcoat. My reading and conversations with my boatyard staff led me to believe that soda blasting is best for the hull, sanding is okay if done right, peel away is okay but hard to get the tight spots, and sand blasting is not a good method...