Fame!!!

[pauls_SPT]

I picked up the lastest Classic Boat and what should I find in the letters page? My own boat, with picture!

For those of you still interested in how I'm doing, I thought I probably owed you an update /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Finally finished cleaning the bilges and I'm simultaneously stripping paint from one side and wood from the other... There are more details on my all-new, all-singing, all-dancing website at www.seaplane-tender.co.uk /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

A quick question then, while I'm here; I'm stripping the paint from my boat with a blowtorch and I recently set fire to it when some ancient rubbish behind the gunwale caught alight (much running about, plugging in hoses, climbing up and down ladders and finally hosing down with a jet-washer...I made sure this fire was the most put-out of any fire ever!). Since then, I've regarded my blowtorch with some trepidation (hence the whole wood-working effort in preference to going near the stupid thing again). I've been looking at heat-guns, which are surprisingly cheap, but how do they compare on running costs? Is a 2KW heat-gun cheaper to run than a gas blow-torch?

Any opinions will be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Paul (my boat was in Classic Boat, don't you know) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mirelle]

Paul,

Congratulations on your fame and on dousing the conflagration.

I think it depends on how thick the paint is. The little hot air gun that I use is hopeless on topsides - far too slow - and I should think that a big one would indeed be very heavy on power - and heavy to hold, too, after a bit.

 

[cliffordpope]

If it's hot enough to melt the thing you want (paint) it's potentially hot enough to start a fire. The only difference is there is no flame, so there would be no immediate and visible warning that something was dangerously hot. Look at the number of fires that start in old buildings undergoing renovation, and you appreciate the need for meticulous and regular inspection after using a heat source, and then again half an hour later.

I can recommend an old-fashioned parafin blow-lamp if you want to develop strong arms!

 

[Gordonmc]

I have used a hot air gun on stripping the boat topsides with some success. They are light enough to use for hours at a stretch and can get through a fair number of coats of paint. They come into their own when you get the knack of bubbling the paint enough to get the scraper underneath without scorching the top paint surface.
Its actually quite difficult to set the pain afire with a hot air gun, although I always make sure scrapings are cleared away, if only to stop the bottom of my workboots picking up great wads of molten paint-gone hard.
I can't say much about running costs, but the gun can be turned off with a flick of a switch during clear-ups isn't using power. A blow lamp is more likely to be left burning.

 

[burgundyben]

Well done on your new celebrity status.

Had a quick peep at your website, I have been meaning to put one together for speed boats built by Scott Paine..its another thing on my list of things to do.

 

[oldharry]

I would not be without my little 2KW hot air gun for paint stripping. Far superior to a blow torch, as it is virtually impossible to set anything on fire, does not scorch the timber beneath if applied too vigorously, provides Instant on/off heat exactly where you want it. and far less risk of burning yourself working in bright sunshine! And does not run out fuel on the last 2 square foot of the job!

The technique is different because the temperature is lower. You have to work the stripping knife actually in the hot air stream, rather than heating up an area then stripping it as you do with the hotter blow torch.

Mirelle - I suggest you try this technique, as I suspect you are trying to tackle too big an area at a time. Quieter, safer, less effort and IMHO quicker.

 

[pauls_SPT]

Thanks for all this advice /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

How quickly does a heat-gun heat up? Is it literally an on/off affair or does it take a minute or so to get up to temperature?

Thanks everybody,

Paul

 

[oldharry]

A few seconds for mine. Not quite instantaneous, but near enough to make no difference. Pick it up, switch it on, grab the stripper knife, and you're ready to go /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif