How to remove non-slip deck paint from a GRP deck?

[dhippey]

Hi chaps,

IGNORE THE GRP IN THE TITLE - I MEANT TO SAY PLY (senior moment)

I'm looking to refresh the cockpit area of my Mk1 crabber and am looking for suggestions on how to remove the deck paint that is cracked and flaking in places. The flaking bits are easy, but the rest is stuck firm. Because of the nature of non-slip deck paint it wears out my metal scraper really fast.

I suspect the paint is International

Any recommendations? TIA

Regards,
David H.

 

[sailorman]

Hi chaps,

IGNORE THE GRP IN THE TITLE - I MEANT TO SAY PLY (senior moment)

I'm looking to refresh the cockpit area of my Mk1 crabber and am looking for suggestions on how to remove the deck paint that is cracked and flaking in places. The flaking bits are easy, but the rest is stuck firm. Because of the nature of non-slip deck paint it wears out my metal scraper really fast.

I suspect the paint is International

Any recommendations? TIA

Regards,
David H.

when i repaint i have found it sands easily

 

[Tranona]

Hot air gun. Once it softens you can scrape it away. Nitromors is also successful, but can be a bit messy. Easier if you can take the boards out and do them on a bench. Getting into corners in a confined space on your hands and knees is hard work. If you are repainting them you don't need to take it all off, just levelling the existing surface is enough.

 

[dhippey]

Thanks for the quick response guys,

Tranona - Hot air scraping sounds good.

Sailorman - Sanding was very inefficient, the deck tending to 'sand' the sandpaper rather than the other way round.

The cockpit surround is very cracked & cratered where old paint has broken down and there are several layers of old stuff, so it has come to the time when it needs to be dealt with.

Any other tips chaps?

Regards,
David H.

 

[sailorman]

Thanks for the quick response guys,

Tranona - Hot air scraping sounds good.

Sailorman - Sanding was very inefficient, the deck tending to 'sand' the sandpaper rather than the other way round.

The cockpit surround is very cracked & cratered where old paint has broken down and there are several layers of old stuff, so it has come to the time when it needs to be dealt with.

Any other tips chaps?

Regards,
David H.

works for me ok

 

[dhippey]

Hi Sailorman,

I wasn't flaming you. Just that it didn't work for me.
I appreciate all answers and am grateful for any advice given.

Regards,
David H.

 

[sailorman]

Hi Sailorman,

I wasn't flaming you. Just that it didn't work for me.
I appreciate all answers and am grateful for any advice given.

Regards,
David H.

i dont burn that easily

 

[30boat]

Another one for the hot air gun.Heat it until it starts bubbling and scrape off.A carbide scraper is a must.The paint is abrasive and will blunt a steel scraper very quickly.

 

[PeteCooper]

Just as a matter of interest - would the hot air paint stripper work to remove paint off a GRP deck?

 

[30boat]

Just as a matter of interest - would the hot air paint stripper work to remove paint off a GRP deck?

The answer is yes but you'll risk attacking the gelcoat.Try progressive amounts of heat until you only soften the paint but not the gelcoat.A bit risky IMO.

 

[rob2]

I suppose the other option is to scrape off what will come willingly and then skim over with some filler to get a smoth surface ready to paint - not ideal, but might be pragmatic?

Rob.