removeing paint from pontoons

[vergil]

working on an old 68 riveria cruiser and the pontoons have a crappy white like paint on them (not oxidation), and a lot of over spray of prime on them what would be the best way to bring them puppies back? im thinkin 220 grit sand paper and a vibrating sander, but then should i paint them with liquid alum. paint or protect them witnh a wax?

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

Sanding would be lots of work and may dull the pontoons. I would try paint remover first and then follow with an aluminum cleaner. If you use these methods, read an follow directions because both can be dangerous.

And I would not repaint unless you keep the boat in salt water.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

Those logs are only .080 thick, so I would not sand them, try another method first.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

If you have a pressure washer, You might look into getting a baking soda induction hose and wand/nozzle.

It turns your pressure washer into a wet sand blaster but the baking soda is for "delicate" surfaces.

 

[ralphl]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

If you have a pressure washer, You might look into getting a baking soda induction hose and wand/nozzle.

It turns your pressure washer into a wet sand blaster but the baking soda is for "delicate" surfaces.

could this be used to polish toons?? where do you get such a rig

 

[jeeperman]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

It will NOT polish anything. It will make the toons matte. But nicely etched for painting.
It is merely more gentle than sand.
Just google
"pressure washer baking soda"

But investigate all the aspects from the vendor before you use it.

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

would a wire brush, like the ones that mount to a grinder be to aggressive on the aluminum, i know it would leave scratches but after time that would be ok by me, the toons have some sort of gold primer or under coating that is really rough to get off

 

[bob1340]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

would a wire brush, like the ones that mount to a grinder be to aggressive on the aluminum, i know it would leave scratches but after time that would be ok by me, the toons have some sort of gold primer or under coating that is really rough to get off

I'd think the wire brush would be worse than sandpaper. If they weren't so dang big the best thing would be to use a media blaster. Same as a sand blaster, but they use plastic or crushed organic stuff like walnut shells. It takes off the paint but does nothing to the aluminum.

If it were mine I'd use sandpaper and just be careful to get off paint and quit once it's down close to the aluminum. Then I'd just repaint them. I'd think a nice paint job would be easier to take care of than raw aluminum.

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

thanks i am gonna tackle this in the off season just starting to get stuff together, some one said he aluminum is really thin anyway, but it seems 220 grit could only put very small scratches. i aint going for a mirror finish but just to get all the old primer and coating off

 

[Russell48]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

I know I am a lil late here but Brake Fluid will take off the paint an primer pretty good,, An won't hurt ya toons at all,,

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

thanks for he reply russel late or not,
i shouldve thought of that. ill try a litle bit on an unseen section,

 

[5150abf]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

Don't know how I missed this one, are sure the toons are aluminum, go drop a magnet on them just to sure.

Aluminum welding wasn't even invented till the late 50s and then it was really exotic stuff so they could be steel.

If you haven't started on this and they are aluminum you REALLY do not want to sand them, you will got through or make it so thin it won't support weight anymore, stick with a chemical stripper.

I sanded the crud out of my livewell very carefull and managed to create 3-4 leaks.

I have built pontoons since 1987 and am the repair guy at Bennington so i have some knowledge in this area, I will sand small scratches out but that is it, stick with chemicals.

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

its a mid 60s riveria cruiser, it is alum. but it seems a whole lot thicker then
.080 of an inch, (though it may be)
what do you think of the brake fluid idea?
and what in the world was that white paint they put on it? it looks like it was put on there when the boat was new?
and due to work and the weather i havent got to it yet, i am still working on takeing it apart, (having to drill out every screw) and getting ready to have some of the hand rails welded.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

look into a product called shark hide cleaner, it's like an acid type cleaner that removed crud, I think it also removed paint, the marina applied it to my toon before we bought it, mad the logs all matt looking , not shiny but clean as a whistle

 

[5150abf]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

It is probably bottom paint, kinda white and chalky, I have a lower unit I bought with that on it.

I don't know that acid would do much to paint, I think that is more for cleaning raw aluminum, whatever you do is gonna blow just because it is on such a large scale and I would be suprised if you could ever get them to look really good again.

I think if it were mine I would use laquer thinner and a wire or stiff bristle brush, do the whole thing once then go over it again to get the tough spots.

I feel for you on the screws, when I redid mine I was pretty dissapointed to see they used regular steel screws it made it a real pain in the bottom.

Take your time and try to enjoy the experiance and remember that at the end of this you will have a really nice boat that you built yourself.

 

[scott10d]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

I would use aircraft paint remover

 

[Russell48]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

It was pretty hard to get off an useing a wire brush put a lot of marks on the toons so that why I tryed the break fluid, I put it on an let it set over nite then took a water hose an spryed them off an paint was gone an no marks at all, But this was in summer time when I did it an not winter time so I would think it mite take just a little longer but not sure,, Hope it helps ya,,

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

ill try the brake fluid, but what about a heat gun, i wonder if that would help, what about a 4" wire brush for a grinder or would that be too aggresive?

 

[Russell48]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

If you putting heat to it then be sure you open the vaulve so it woun't build up press in the toons,, But any kind of wire brush would leave sratch marks on em for sure,, But I did use the foam scrub pads that my wife use when she do the dishes in the house,,lol,, No marks what so ever,, An can get then a buck a pack that has about 10 of them in a pack,, But a good pressure washer will help,, An if you have heat on toon like a tourch it will leave burn marks I would think,,

 

[vergil]

Re: removeing paint from pontoons

if skratches is the worst it ill leave that would be ok, i plan on repaintin the toons with liquid alum. i dont have a pressure washer. and yes it is that bottom paint its very chalky, and old (looks horrible)