Soda blasting

[jhaley59]

I'm considering removing some old paint from my bayliner trophy, a friend recommended soda blasting. I'm not looking forward to hours of sanding and the promise of a easier paint removal sounds good. Couple of concerns I have is that it sounds to good to be true and will it damage the gelcoat.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Soda blasting

I saw a bottom that was being done at a local boat yard and it removed almost all paint there was less that 1 percent left with no damage done. They get get 600. for a 20ft boat bottom.

 

[shrew]

Re: Soda blasting

I recommend if you going to skip the time to sand and spend the money to get it blasted, then spend the extra time and a little more money and properly barrier coat the bottom before repainting. I would match the manufacturer of you bottom paint with barrier coat and follow the instructions. If they say, 3-4 coats, then do 4 and not 2.

They make some god bottom paints now that supposedly don't require sanding in future maintenance. Petit's Hydrocoat is one, though all the major paint manufacturer's market something similar.

Just my .02

 

[arks]

Re: Soda blasting

Definitely soda blast. It's the most effective way to remove antifouling paint without severely damaging the gelcoat.

I agree with shrew, however- if you do soda blast, then you need to apply a barrier coat. Proper application will seal the hull from moisture. Only THEN you can put on new bottom paint.

I did my own barrier coat last spring. It wasn't all that difficult, but pay close attention to the instructions because for best adhesion each coat must go on before the previous one is completely dry. The stuff isn't cheap, but if you want to do it right then it's a must.

 

[jhaley59]

Re: Soda blasting

The paint is above the water line and I would like to restore 1/3 gelcoat and 2/3 new paint. 21ft trophy, bottom is original gelcoat in excellant condition, trying to remove ugly outdated factory paint..