Gelcoat removal - 8" sander or random orbital?

[NickNap]

I can't run to a gelcoat planer - for gelcoat removal on a 23' Westerly hull prior to drying, which would the team use, a large sander polisher or a random orbital? Any specific model?

I seem to remember a post (was it Oldsaltoz?) who used a concrete grinder but don't think
I've got the nerve...

cheers, Nick

 

[johnlilley]

Hi there
a random orbit sander will be oh so slow, whereas a disc sander (large dia) will be oh so fast with 40 or 60 grit discs, just difficult controlling how much material & where you remove material & keeping a fair finish free of deep dwells and those "whoops" moments.

Sander/polishers are quite expensive & heavy on the arm for long periods but invaluable for polishing with the right attachments. Various makes, possible Clarkes (Machine Mart) have some. Sander polishers have two speeds as against the straightforward large angle grinders which are usually only one speed. Slow speed for polishing, stops the mop burning gel coat, fast for sanding. Plenty of other input here I expect.

However, with patience and a bit of experience, (possibly on some else's hull first!) you can get some control over the surface finish and get a fair finish, but possibly not at first go.


Plenty of dust though.....


John Lilley

 

[Avocet]

I used a router with a 32mm bit in it on Avocet. Works better than you'd think! It struggles on tight curves (wont take the same amount off middle and outer edges) but you can always go over what's left by hand. At least it comes off as shavings rather than dust, so it's easier to collect!

 

[oldsaltoz]

I seem to remember a post (was it Oldsaltoz?) who used a concrete grinder but don't think
I've got the nerve...cheers, Nick

Hi Nick,

Yes it was me that advised a concrete grinding disk, I can strip a 30 footer in an afternoon.

You will need something like this anyway to get into tight spots, easy to control with a little practice and perfect for grinding out defects or osmosis.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Talulah]

Having spent two weekends grinding off one side of a 34' boat I decided to try a standard DIY electric planer. Had the other side done in a couple of hours.

 

[NickNap]

Thanks guys, few things to try out there. I'll look out for a scrap hull and have a practise first.
Nick

 

[oldsaltoz]

At the enc of the day wou will almost certainly have to fair the area you have removed the gel coat from.

The method used will be only a small contribution as to how this is done, so look for a method that is fast and easy rather than slow and hard work.

This may well need an epoxy resin as well.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Talbot]

If you are sanding that much, you will be very unpopular with people around you, and also unless you cover up completely, and have very good air mask and eye cover, you risk damage to your health.

The specialist tool cost is probably more than employing someone to do the job.

 

[PCUK]

Electric wood planer as already said.

 

[capetown]

Hi Nick,

I see you're in Dartmouth, but you can't lose anything by giving Adrain Baker a call, he stripped my Pageant about 12 years ago, a good bloke, will give you some pointers.

http://www.advancedosmosis.co.uk/

How do you intend to dry her out?

 

[NickNap]

Thanks Capetown, I'm planning to dry her out over next summer.

How did you do yours? Did you do the rest yourself?

 

[capetown]

Yes I intended to epoxy myself but as it took 8 months to dry, pressure washing when I remembered and heat lamps for 2 weeks.

I lost patience, as I had a trailer at the time, took her to J. K. Marine at Dell Quay to finish off.

After a few years we decided to raise the waterline, so entrusted Adrain to do the peeling and epoxying, alls still good today.

All skin fittings ect were removed, and replaced with new.

You might think about raising the waterline?