How to remove old deck paint

[Colvic Watson]

Did a search for this but couldn't find a thread. The deck paint on our new (old) Macwester is badly chipped and flaky in some places. Rather than sand down and chuck on a new coat to make it look 'OK' we wanted to get it back to the gel coat and start again. So questions questions:

1. After scraping, how do we get rid of the last bits? Is acetone OK and where do I get it?
2. Do I need to apply a primer coat or is rubberized deck paint self priming?
3. Is there any other product other than high price yacht stuff at £25 for 750ml ?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[steve28]

The only tip i can give you is apply the paint on a windless day. otherwise you end up with wisps of paint coming off the roller everwhere.
This only seems to be the case with blakes rubber based deck paint. it is however very good when used with the grit.

steve

 

[jimbouy]

The data sheet for international interdeck says no primer needed on GRP.


But no hints on getting it off, I'd like some pointers on this as well.

 

[marina95]

[ QUOTE ]
The only tip i can give you is apply the paint on a windless day. otherwise you end up with wisps of paint coming off the roller everwhere

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll second that, the Blakes rubberised paint causes stringy bit flyoff mayhem!

The Blakes is inherently self levelling and if I were you I'd use a rotary sander to remove the flaky paint and give the rest a good key and then bung the Blakes on. My decks were in a similar state and I'm very pleased with the results.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

Acetone is a definite No-No as it will dissolve your GRP (well, the P part to be precise). Which is one reason I never allowed my daughters to bring their nail varnish remover on board.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Any suggestions for an alternative to acetone, what have others found that works? (for the deck paint, not the nail varnish)

 

[oilyrag]

I used some stuff called Dilunett Gel Remover from the local swindlers. Splodge it on, leave it, wash it off - brilliant! Not cheap at about a tenner a litre but the time and effort saved over scraping is certainly worth it. I think they must lose a lot of business due to the name, but this obviously refers to it's consistency rather than it's intended use!

 

[ridgy]

That's funny, when I was fixing my keel last year I poured litres of the stuff in to the bilges (upon recommendation of a boat builder) to rid them of traces of oil.

Needless to say, no new holes appeared.

I think you'll find that acetone is very widely used as a degreaser in most forms of GRP repair work.

 

[jimbouy]

I emailed international to ask how to remove their deck paint.

Just got this back.

"Jim

Abrade with 180-220 grit
or
Use Interstrip

Regards Barry"

Obviously it may depend on the make of the original, but I know mine is International.


Jimbouy

 

[LaBaraka]

Hi,
I have successfully used a small waterblaster. Degreased with acetone. Quick wiping wont dissolve your GRP.
Walt