GRP Paint Stripper

[Clint]

Can anyone recommend a good paint stripper for GRP. It looks like the previous owner of my boat used a cheap exterior gloss paint. I can see no signs of any primer or undercoat. All the paint on the boat is starting to flake, and peel, so she does need a complete repaint.

Clint

 

[Boo2]

+1 : I need to know this too.

And as a counter-example, RemovAll 620 did not work at all in getting the A/F of my boat, it left it completely unaltered and scraping was no easier with the RemovAll 620 applied than without it and that was after 36 hours had been allowed to lapse as well.

Boo2

 

[Clint]

Has anyone used this stuff: http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-2566-paint-and-varnish-remover.aspx

 

[JumbleDuck]

And as a counter-example, RemovAll 620 did not work at all in getting the A/F of my boat, it left it completely unaltered and scraping was no easier with the RemovAll 620 applied than without it and that was after 36 hours had been allowed to lapse as well.

That was my experience too. Removall 620 is rubbish. I used Removall 220 before with great results, but they don't recommend it for GRP any more.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Can anyone recommend a good paint stripper for GRP. It looks like the previous owner of my boat used a cheap exterior gloss paint. I can see no signs of any primer or undercoat. All the paint on the boat is starting to flake, and peel, so she does need a complete repaint.

Clint

Hi Clint
Try this http://www.marinechandlery.com/owatrol-marine-strip-paints-and-coatings-remover

I have used it a few times to remove gloss paint and it does not effect GRP, my tip is leave it on for say 4 hrs min or most of the day and hose or better jet wash off.

Mike

 

[Plevier]

If it is ordinary gloss paint, caustic soda.
Don't get it on you, horrible, wear gauntlets, goggles ertc.

 

[William_H]

If it is ordinary gloss paint, caustic soda.
Don't get it on you, horrible, wear gauntlets, goggles ertc.

+1 for trying caustic soda. granules in water. Do not use ordinary hair brushes try to find nylon bristled brush. Caustic dissolves the animal hair as it will your skin. Protect your hands face and eyes.
I found caustic hardly touches antifouling but quickly demolishes the aluminium anti rust paint where it drips on the trailer. good luck olewill

 

[Clint]

Thanks all I'll try the Owatrol first, caustic soda makes me a bit nervous, l've seen what it can do, might use it on metal or wood but a bit dubious about using it on grp.

 

[MYStargazer]

Has anyone used this stuff: http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-2566-paint-and-varnish-remover.aspx

Yes. Wasn't much good on layers of Antifoul, but seemed kind on the gelcoat.

http://yachtstargazer.wordpress.com/spaces/hull-stripping-the-hull/

 

[VicS]

Thanks all I'll try the Owatrol first, caustic soda makes me a bit nervous, l've seen what it can do, might use it on metal or wood but a bit dubious about using it on grp.

Owatrol Marine Strip is caustic soda based so gloves and especially goggles are essential safety kit.

Wash off any splashes on exposed skin immediately and make absolutely certain you cannot get any in your eyes

Caustic soda is OK to use on grp.

 

[Avocet]

I've never used it before but some people have mentioned Dilunet in the past. I think that's caustic-based.

 

[VicS]

I've never used it before but some people have mentioned Dilunet in the past. I think that's caustic-based.

Dillunett is/was also caustic soda based.
The original Dilunett was replaced by Owatrol Marine Strip although there is also now Owatrol Dilunett in the non marine range of products.

Rather unexpectedly Dilunett is 50% dearer than Marine Strip!

 

[ThreeSummers]

Can anyone recommend a good paint stripper for GRP. It looks like the previous owner of my boat used a cheap exterior gloss paint. I can see no signs of any primer or undercoat. All the paint on the boat is starting to flake, and peel, so she does need a complete repaint.

Clint

Why not sand it down with an RO sander - gets rid of the paint and prepares the surface for primer...

Tim.

 

[Clint]

So if l used caustic soda, probably cheaper than buying Owatrol. What would the dilution be. If that fails l have thought about using RO sander, very gently.

 

[VicS]

So if l used caustic soda, probably cheaper than buying Owatrol. What would the dilution be. If that fails l have thought about using RO sander, very gently.

I read the data sheets for Marine strip and Dilunett earlier. IIRC they contain 16% so somewhere around that figure. Take care when dissolving caustic soda in water. It gets pretty hot. Stirring while adding the caustic soda is essential or it forms a solid mass which then takes ages to dissolve.
Good ventilation, goggles and gloves essential

 

[Clint]

I had a go at the GRP this afternoon with a RO Sander, surprised at how quick it gets the old paint off, and reveals the original nasty magnolia coloured GRP underneath. l am probably going to sand it all down, and use stripper on the fiddly hard to reach bits. £12.00 for 40 disks, beats the price of stripper any day.

 

[Seashoreman]

I had a go at the GRP this afternoon with a RO Sander, surprised at how quick it gets the old paint off, and reveals the original nasty magnolia coloured GRP underneath. l am probably going to sand it all down, and use stripper on the fiddly hard to reach bits. £12.00 for 40 disks, beats the price of stripper any day.

Could you give more details of this please? What is an RO sander and what grit strength are you using?

 

[Clint]

used my random orbital sander, (125mm) and 60 grit disk. Some of the old paint is really stubborn, but the majority is coming off nicely, hand sanding alll corners and hard to reach areas.

 

[Seashoreman]

Thanks for explanation. That wouldn't work for the dawbs of white paint blobbed here and there on stern and deck, horrible bodge on an otherwise good original gelcoat. 60 grit seems harsh to me as a cabinet finisher, may eventually go near it with 240? Or try some of that stripper. Thanks for info.