How can I remove spray paint and not ruin my gelcoat

[Pappin]

I'm new to this site so I hope I'm in the rite place! I recently boat a 2011 Tahoe Q5i and at first I thought it was just oxidized ( no big deal). Well after I get home and get to cleaning on it I realized the previous owner sprayed clear spray paint over it instead of waxing it! I have never had this issue before so I called several detailers and the cheapest bid I got was $3500. I can't afford that kinda money for a sand and wax. I guess my question is what can I do. If I have to sand it myself so be it but what materials will I need or is there another way to remove it without sanding! I tried to get some pics but I can't get a good one of the surface to show the clear.

 

[Cactus kid]

Hi. It sounds like you are very concerned about how it will look . Knowing that, I would let a professional do the work to get it looking like you want it to look ! Something to consider is Why is there clear coat on it ? Damaged surface? Obviously the fiberglass was prepared to accept the clear coat ! I am about to apply clear coat to my fiberglass boat. No sand polish or wax will fix my (gel coat ) gloss clear coat will achieve the look I want . I could have a professional rep ain't my entire boat for a lot less than 3500.00. Good Luck on your project!

 

[Woodonglass]

Gelcoat is pretty tuff stuff. Use a rag soaked with acetone and lay it on the surface for about ten minutes and see if the clearcoat softens and wrinkles and can be scraped off. If so, you should be able to use some of this to remove the rest...

without danger of harming the gelcoat. Just keep an eye on it and as soon as the clearcoat starts to bubble scrape it off. Work in small areas. DON'T Leave the stripper on for long periods of time!!!!

NOTE: If you have Cracks or gouges in the gelcoat, avoid getting any stripper in these. After the stripper has done its work make sure and give the boat a bath with Tri Sodium Phosphate to remove any stripper residue. Once all the clear coat is off you should be able to restore the gelcoat. It's only 5 years old so unless there is something EXTREMELY wrong with it, it should be restorable.

 

[ERock82]

I agree with what Woodonglass says. I use acetone all the time. Too much probably but I have never had a problem on my gelcoat. It works wonders getting stuff off. Always do a test area first though. Don't use it over any stickers or graphics. It wiped off some of the paint on my weight limit sticker. No big deal but I'd rather that not happen.

 

[Pappin]

There are several spots where the clear has flaked off and the gel coat is good in those spots. The only thing I can think of is the previous owner didn't wanna wax and polish it. It is a south Texas boat and he never had it stored inside just a tarp over the interior so the sun beat down on it for the past 5 years. I will try the acetone this afternoon and repost the results. Thanks y'all for the advice

 

[Woodonglass]

It may NOT be clear coat. Is the boat Metal Flake?? If so then it's prolly Clear Gelcoat.

 

[Pappin]

It's not metal flake. I have actually been fooling with it today and it is definitely spray on clear coat. I chipped about a half dollar size off and buffed that spot really good and it looks like a mirror now. The clear is only from the rub rail up.

 

[harleyman1975]

I wonder if it isn't some of that Phony "restore" crap you see on T.V. You" just wipe it on and voila it looks like new". That is some bad stuff. I agree with the acetone or laquer thinner (the good stuff from an auto body supply). do it outside in the shade or indoors with a respirator and wear nitrile gloves. you will go through lots of rags/towels. I suggest you get a few roles of the blue paper shop towels.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

WoodOnGlass put you on the right track. Give the acetone and paint striper a try on a hidden (not so visible) location and see how it goes. Try a small area first and give it some time for any adverse effects (if any) to show. When you have a peace of mind that the method works fine - and most likely it will - have at it and strip the rest of the hull. Mask off to keep the striper away from the rubber, engine or outdrive paint and any other places you don't want the chemicals to touch. Best of luck to you.

 

[tpenfield]

I agree with the proceed with caution advise. Definitely start with a small not so visible area rather than going all-in. You could end up with a bigger mess on your hands. I am also wondering if the clear coat is from the factory to make the boat shinier . . . Keep in mind that acetone will have an effect on the gelcoat if used in sufficient quantity and duration.

 

[Georgesalmon]

About the only chemical I know of that will soften gelcoat or polyester resin is "methylene chloride". I probably spelled that wrong. We used that to clean hardened resin and gelcoat from spray equipment. A 24 hr soak will soften cured resin. Its was often found in heavy duty paint strippers. It will burn your skin.

 

[Woodonglass]

Truth ^^^^

 

[Pappin]

Gelcoat is pretty tuff stuff. Use a rag soaked with acetone and lay it on the surface for about ten minutes and see if the clearcoat softens and wrinkles and can be scraped off. If so, you should be able to use some of this to remove the rest...

without danger of harming the gelcoat. Just keep an eye on it and as soon as the clearcoat starts to bubble scrape it off. Work in small areas. DON'T Leave the stripper on for long periods of time!!!!

NOTE: If you have Cracks or gouges in the gelcoat, avoid getting any stripper in these. After the stripper has done its work make sure and give the boat a bath with Tri Sodium Phosphate to remove any stripper residue. Once all the clear coat is off you should be able to restore the gelcoat. It's only 5 years old so unless there is something EXTREMELY wrong with it, it should be restorable.

I want to say thank you! I just stripped all of the spray paint off of my boat in about 2 hrs with the stripper you suggested. After I washed the entire boat and dried it I did a compound polish on a section and it looks like a mirror. Nothing wrong with the gelcoat just oxidized really bad. Thank you again sir

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, I may be Dumb...but that don't mean I'm Smart!!!!

 

[52FordF2]

Do you have before and after pics. No pics didn't happen. :lol:

 

[Pappin]

I plan on finishing everything this wknd. I will get pics of the port side that has paint still on it, then after the acetone and of it waxed