Removing old paint and primer?

[pamlicopanther]

Hello.

I am currently restoring a Skeeter Wrangler. The owner before did a paint job over the original gelcoat. I am trying to remove all this paint and primer so I can apply my primer and paint unto the original gelcoat.

My question is; Is there anything that can be applied to the old paint and primer to make it easy to remove, but that will not hurt the gelcoat?


Thanks.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Removing old paint and primer?

There are some paint strippers designed specifically to work on fiberglass. I think some of the online marine suppliers may carry them.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Removing old paint and primer?

Depends on the type of paint you are removing. I used a standard generic brand of stripper to remove 2 part top and base coats, it removed one layer of paint at a time. When i finally got down to the original gelcoat the paint stripper did not harm it in any way.

Play it safe though, do a test in a non conspicuous area (behind the engine mount).

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Removing old paint and primer?

I have used a product called aircraft remover to remove name on back of a boat then had to wet sand and buff to make it match.It had a name back there and I didnt want one.

 

[rngale]

Re: Removing old paint and primer?

If it is that well bonded do you really need to strip it? If he had it AWL Gripped good luck. If it is an interlux product you might be able to use a water based stripper, they work well on bottom paint but never tried it for top coats.

 

[pamlicopanther]

Re: Removing old paint and primer?

If it is that well bonded do you really need to strip it? If he had it AWL Gripped good luck. If it is an interlux product you might be able to use a water based stripper, they work well on bottom paint but never tried it for top coats.

I have most of it off just by scrapping. The old paint was coming off in numerous places. I was thinking the stripper would help in the hard to reach places. I found something today that says it won't hurt the gelcoat. Planning to give it ashot tomorrow.

thanks for everyone's information.