Oday 28 bottom work?

[Dragon Fly]

Ahoy !
spring bottom painting scraping and general cleaning:
what tools needed? a rotary sander (variable speed)? Brand name model # ?
what paint brand best for a non racing sailboat bottom job(cold water sailing)
particular cleaners to clean the hull above the waterline or just
general cleaner?
Need new zinc's(2) and eliminating many layers of bottom paint and some barnacles. ( the paint is uneven in several places)
best way to get straight line on waterline tape?)
white above, blue below water.
My first time doing this I guess you know...
thanks
dragon fly

 

[Davidasailor26]

The tools you'll need for removing the bottom paint depends on the condition of the paint and how ambitious you are about cleaning it up. Ours had 23 seasons worth of paint accumulated that was peeling and chipping, and I'm planning on racing the boat this season, so I'm undertaking sanding it all off. Our marina provides complimentary 6" orbital vacuum sanders, so that and lots of 40 grit paper are what I'm using. I've been at it for 3 long days and I'm about 80% done. If the paint on yours isn't chipping or peeling off, there aren't any signs of blistering, and you're not too concerned about performance, you may be able to get away with just some light sanding. If you want to pull it all off, you could also consider alternatives like chemical strippers (there are specific brands like Peel Away for bottom paint) or having someone soda blast it. I've certainly found that sanding is doable, but no fun. In any case, you'll want drop cloths, and eye and breathing protection. If you pull it all off you could apply an epoxy barrier coat if you desire, although the necessity of that is up for debate depending on how long you expect to have the boat in-water vs. on the hard for winter. Bottom paint types are the subject of much review and debate and what works best for your water temps, salinity, and time in-water you might want to read up on in the archives and places like Practical Sailor. Since you're not racing, you don't need a hard paint; ablatives should be fine options.

Masking tape or blue painters tape work just fine for keeping the blue paint off the waterline. For above the waterline, I'll refer you to the archives. I remember in the past seeing threads about the various wax and cleaner options. Maine Sail for example has put a very rigorous tutorial at http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

 

[Dragon Fly]

MANY THANKS
I'll look into costs of orbital vac sanders
and 40 grit paper.
Don't think my boatyard has soda sanding facilities; and yes tarps ans eye/breath
protection.. of course. I also have years of bottom paint accumulated, and while its not peeling, i'd like to take it down to some uniform level across the bottom.
thanks so much for the time in replying to dragon fly.

 

[Brian S]

If you want to remove the old paint from the bottom, the commodore of our club swears by Back To Nature's Tough 2 Strip paint remover. Unfortunately, Sunnyside Corporation seems to have bought Back To Nature, and their website does not show Tough 2 Strip. http://sunnysidecorp.com But Amazon lists it still: http://www.amazon.com/Back-to-Nature-Tough-2-Strip/dp/B003A1JSDQ The commodore has been stripping this Santana 2032.

Brian

 

[Dragon Fly]

thanks all!
I've bought an orbital sander, with vac connection,
some simply green 4 cleaning above the waterline;
40 & 60 grit sanding discs,
(soda blasting cost over $1400. dollars, not affordable)
bought some eye and breathing apparatus; and blue tape for waterline.
also some paint brushes, rollers paint pan, scraper soft rags, etc.
Paint has to wait 4 now. But probably Petit brand? your thoughts on ablative brand paints?
that's what it looks like from here today.
dragon fly.

 

[Joe Roc]

I stripped the bottom of my 28 about 7 years ago. If you're looking for uniform smoothness sanding will not get you all the way there. Those spots that are chipping and flaking will continue to do just that. I'm not suggesting you need to strip the bottom to the gel coat but if you want a perfectly smooth bottom there's no other way. Any way if your using an orbital palm sander be sure you wear a mask (not a cheap one) over you nose and mouth. There's a reason why that paint kills algae and barnacles!! You're going to want to find a good chiropractor too. Good luck