bought a 23 ft. catalina 75'...great shape except old 3 layers of paint,,,what can I use to soften?
maybe 3 lays of paint on hull..what to use?
- Thread starter daveywonder
- Start date
Assuming you mean remove, 80 grit sandpaper/sander which shouldn’t take too long on a 20 ft hull. Using paint remover takes a long time and you still need to sand afterward to smooth the surface.
I presume you mean bottom paint, not topsides, correct? 3 layers isn’t bad. I’m with Don on sanding if you want to remove it. If we were talking 20 layers it might be different.
Is there any particular reason you want to remove it? If it’s well adhered and you plan to repaint with something compatible I’d just lightly sand and paint over it.
Is there any particular reason you want to remove it? If it’s well adhered and you plan to repaint with something compatible I’d just lightly sand and paint over it.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,446
Davey, Welcome to the forum. Already three similar answers to your question. Note all three assume you are talk about bottom paint. You will need to be more specific and maybe share pictures if you are talking about something else.
As the wise sailors shared, 3 layers on the bottom you are just getting started. If the condition of the paint is good, as shared, scuff it up so the new layer has something to grip and paint away. Drop the boat in the water and go sailing.
As the wise sailors shared, 3 layers on the bottom you are just getting started. If the condition of the paint is good, as shared, scuff it up so the new layer has something to grip and paint away. Drop the boat in the water and go sailing.
Get a good paint scraper....the kind where each blade has at least two scraping edges. Bring a file to touch up the blades, and have a few spare blades. I am talking about maybe $25 in tools.
I agree with many of the previous posts--three layers is not a lot. When I bought my boat, there was no kidding at least 15 years of buildup (painted every spring) and it was VERY uneven.
I looked into having the yard either sand or soda blast it down to the hull. Then, it would have been either them or me applying a barrier coat, etc. This several thousand dollar project was way overkill for an old inexpensive boat in a geographical area where hull blisters are uncommon.
So, I ended up taking the yard's advice and scraping the worst areas. Scraping combined with 80 grit hand sanding, some 80 grit on a palm sander, and a multitool with a scraper blade (kind of like an automated scraper) go it reasonably smooth. It took MANY hours for a 30' boat (say several full weekends of just me working), but cost practically zero. I stopped short of perfect, because I would have never gotten there. I saved the last bit for the next spring....I am close now but I don't think it'll ever be pefect. But, it's MUCH better than it was and is quite acceptable. I imagine your 23' boat should be very doable in a long weekend.
Scraping removes a lot of material quickly. Just be careful not to knick the gelcoat--round over the sharp corners of the scraper with a file, it will help. Develop a technique. I knicked the hull in maybe 3 places--a quick epoxy smear fixed it right up.
Oh, and do buy a few Tyvek suits ($10-$15 each), good gloves, goggles, and N95 masks. I made a huge mistake my first weekend. The dust in my lungs and through my skin made me sick. And, it stains absolutely everything and will remain on your skin and in your hair for a long time.
I agree with many of the previous posts--three layers is not a lot. When I bought my boat, there was no kidding at least 15 years of buildup (painted every spring) and it was VERY uneven.
I looked into having the yard either sand or soda blast it down to the hull. Then, it would have been either them or me applying a barrier coat, etc. This several thousand dollar project was way overkill for an old inexpensive boat in a geographical area where hull blisters are uncommon.
So, I ended up taking the yard's advice and scraping the worst areas. Scraping combined with 80 grit hand sanding, some 80 grit on a palm sander, and a multitool with a scraper blade (kind of like an automated scraper) go it reasonably smooth. It took MANY hours for a 30' boat (say several full weekends of just me working), but cost practically zero. I stopped short of perfect, because I would have never gotten there. I saved the last bit for the next spring....I am close now but I don't think it'll ever be pefect. But, it's MUCH better than it was and is quite acceptable. I imagine your 23' boat should be very doable in a long weekend.
Scraping removes a lot of material quickly. Just be careful not to knick the gelcoat--round over the sharp corners of the scraper with a file, it will help. Develop a technique. I knicked the hull in maybe 3 places--a quick epoxy smear fixed it right up.
Oh, and do buy a few Tyvek suits ($10-$15 each), good gloves, goggles, and N95 masks. I made a huge mistake my first weekend. The dust in my lungs and through my skin made me sick. And, it stains absolutely everything and will remain on your skin and in your hair for a long time.