Sandpaper grit

[Rightsideup]

Ladies and Gents,
Can anyone advise which grade/grit of sandpaper I should use to rub down the hull of our Daysailer for painting? The previous owner painted it badly and I need to take it back quite a bit.
Many thanks,
Rightsideup.

 

[Joe]

I suggest using a 5" Variable Speed Oscillating sander(ryobi $39 at Home Depot) get some 60grit, medium speed setting, and take the paint down till you're happy... then 150 to smooth it out..follow paint manufacturers instructions for surface prep...but you'll probably finish with 260-320 before paint..

If you're looking to really take off fast... one of those big 7" Variable Speed Disc Sander/Polishers on 600rpm with 240 grit will really take it down... finish with the 5".

 

[Ray Bowles]

I think I'd try a 100 grit first with that orbital sander. If it doesn't take the paint off at a speed you can live with then I'd go to a 80 grit. If you are doing the bottom and a big build up of paint then 60 by all means.
I just did 2 day sailer hulls for the g-kids with their full help. By that I mean the hull sides. I filled all the dings, chips and nicks with marine bondo and then sanded with 100 grit and followed with 200. 2 coats of primer, light sand with 220 grit, color primed and 3 coats paint with a foam roller and tipped with a 4 " brush. They are beautiful. I hope I can ding both of them up at launch time so I don't fret the first scratch.
I wanted the kids to have ownership and they are really strutin' their stuff.

 

[tommays]

I found the cheep did not sand off well at all and went with FG safe stripper and a Razor Blade as the sander can give the hull a golf ball look petty easy

 

[Bill Roosa]

For the thick stuff a scraper or stiff putty knife is much to be prefered and does not make so much dust. don't forget your face mask in any case as that stuff is toxic if you ingest it.
a chisel also works well