Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

[tmh]

The boat i bought last year had bottom paint on it (ablative i think - the kind that wears away) that was getting worn out looking. By now it's really worn down and probably useless. Also, the boat is not showing the performance #'s it should and i want to start from scratch with a clean bottom.

Anyways, the boat is in a slip in a very algea filled lake now and I'm pulling it out this week. If I have the marina power/acid wash it for me will that take most of the ablative paint off the bottom? If not, will that "On/Off" nasty acid stuff applied with a scrub brush work?

Thanks.

 

[ScottG76]

Re: Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

The boat i bought last year had bottom paint on it (ablative i think - the kind that wears away) that was getting worn out looking. By now it's really worn down and probably useless. Also, the boat is not showing the performance #'s it should and i want to start from scratch with a clean bottom.

Anyways, the boat is in a slip in a very algea filled lake now and I'm pulling it out this week. If I have the marina power/acid wash it for me will that take most of the ablative paint off the bottom? If not, will that "On/Off" nasty acid stuff applied with a scrub brush work?

Thanks.

Depending on how old the paint is, a good chunk of it might come off with just a power washer. I'm not sure how much more an acid wash would help. It should get sanded down before applying the new paint, so that may be the best way to get the excess off. Power wash it, chip at it with a paint scraper, and then sand away.

 

[tmh]

Re: Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

aw crap! I don't WANT to scrape or sand it off!!!! But I guess i kinda figured that's what I'd need to do sometime.

I really don't plan to re-paint it this year if i can get a decent surface under the paint (functionally OK, cosmetics not an issue for rest of this season).

 

[dingbat]

Re: Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

A good powerwash will get the slime off but if you want to repaint take it and have it soda blasted. Soda blasting beats the heck out of both the other processes and doesn't require much prep work before recoating.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

The power washer will probably remove most of the bottom paint especially the loose stuff but the acid shouldn't touch it, it's more for removing organic type stuff such as the slime and orange/brown waterline stains.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Pressure wash/Acid wash - Does it remove bottom paint

Marine Paint Stripper will get off the balance of the paint that is not removed with power washing. You will end up sanding it anyway, at least in several spots.

Soft media Sand blasting or soda blasting is supposed to be a good way to go as well. Less of your ebow grease, but more $$.