How do I remove epoxy paint from Deck?

[capetown]

Been offerd a 28' grp sailing boat with the decks and coachroof painted with epoxy.

Allegedly, "Just for a colour change" Problem is the boat is at an attractive price.
Not got to the survey stage yet.

To help me make my mind up, how difficult is it to remove?
How to remove? Blast? Strippers?

Then to make it all good. Is spraying gelcoat a diy possibility?
Is a spraygun that would be used for car painting ok to spray gelcoat?

I realise this is a lot of work, with windows off, and possibly all the deck fittings, but I have restored two boats in the last 12 years, and can do grp and gelcoat repairs. So am not put off by hard graft.

 

[VicS]

How sound is the epoxy coating?

If sound the more logical thing would be to repaint it with epoxy, or 2 pack polyurethane if that can be applied over the epoxy without problems.

 

[Scarron]

If it's anything like the epoxy I have just removed from my decks then you are in for a heck of a job.

Trouble with epoxies is that they do break down over time under attack from UV. If you can clean/pressure wash it back to a good substrate without peeling various layers then do exactly that and paint over it with a good quality 2 pack polyurethane - you don't know how lucky you are..

If like me, you have up to 6 layers peeling at various rates that either just fall off or are stuck like snot to blanket then the only way is to get it all off and start again.

If like me, some thoughtfull type has heavily filled epoxy with what seemed like aluminium oxide to make it non-slip then no sander/blaster/scraper in the world will touch it.. I eventually ended up grinding it off with a diamond tipped mini grinder - blimmin drastic and just about the nastiest job I have done in a long time.

Very best of luck

 

[TQA]

Grinding or dry sanding epoxy is not good for your health.

A significant % of people will become increasing allergic to the dust. I know as I am one. Hospitalisation is not uncommon.

 

[capetown]

How sound is the epoxy coating?

If sound the more logical thing would be to repaint it with epoxy, or 2 pack polyurethane if that can be applied over the epoxy without problems.

It's got three coats with a well sanded gelcoat.

I'm thinking I'm going to walk away from this.

 

[oldsaltoz]

If the existing coat is sound, just apply epoxy high build primer and paint with whatever you like.