newby with a big project

[Dodgy Diver]

I am going to look at a old sun seeker tomorrow thats been spray painted with car 2k paint
ideally I want to remove this with out melting the boat
any thoughts what product won't damage the gel coat ?
thank you

 

[Mr Googler]

Why remove it? 2 part polyurethane is 2 part polyurethane. Sand it down, maybe epoxy prime and spray or roll whatever colour you are going for.

you’ll never get it back to gel but there’s no need to.

 

[AndieMac]

Why remove it? 2 part polyurethane is 2 part polyurethane. Sand it down, maybe epoxy prime and spray or roll whatever colour you are going for.

you’ll never get it back to gel but there’s no need to.

Exactly, there was a reason it was painted in the first place. Not all gelcoats were created equal, and need covering.

 

[Dodgy Diver]

the bottom half looks decent but the top is a bad paint job , id hopes the gelcoat was un damaged and a good buff would bring it back , but it seems im best off flatting the paint and re doing the top half again , thanks

 

[Mr Googler]

the bottom half looks decent but the top is a bad paint job , id hopes the gelcoat was un damaged and a good buff would bring it back , but it seems im best off flatting the paint and re doing the top half again , thanks

I would say so. You can wet sand 2k paint so if there‘s enough depth….you might be able to bring the existing paint back to life. Have a go at the worst bit with 800 grit wet on a DA, slowish…light pressure. Then go 1200 grit…2000 grit…heavy compound…..polish. Easy! ???

 

[Keith 66]

If it was sprayed with 2 pack car paint its most likely it is Acrylic not Polyurethane, they are quite different to use, 2k Acrylic is / was popular with some boat sprayers as it is easy to build up multiple coats quickly without runs & sags. It sets up far quicker than Poly & wet overspray is less of an issue. Overspray will be dry once its gone a short distance.
Acrylic is softer & can be buffed easily.
Polyurethane is far less forgiving to spray, & an unskilled operator is far more likely to balls it up.
This is why some sprayers like to use acrylic, its easier to get a quick & dirty finish & its probably cheaper.
I have seen quite a few boats sprayed with 2k acrylic, it doesnt last as long & usually ends in tears.
Only real way to get it off is to sand it away, Random orbital sander with 80 grit then down to 120 & 240.
You can put 2k poly on top of 2k acrylic but with the cost of the poly i would strip it off.

 

[hinch]

wrap it instead problem solved.

 

[Caraway]

If it was sprayed with 2 pack car paint its most likely it is Acrylic not Polyurethane, they are quite different to use, 2k Acrylic is / was popular with some boat sprayers as it is easy to build up multiple coats quickly without runs & sags. It sets up far quicker than Poly & wet overspray is less of an issue. Overspray will be dry once its gone a short distance.
Acrylic is softer & can be buffed easily.
Polyurethane is far less forgiving to spray, & an unskilled operator is far more likely to balls it up.
This is why some sprayers like to use acrylic, its easier to get a quick & dirty finish & its probably cheaper.
I have seen quite a few boats sprayed with 2k acrylic, it doesnt last as long & usually ends in tears.
Only real way to get it off is to sand it away, Random orbital sander with 80 grit then down to 120 & 240.
You can put 2k poly on top of 2k acrylic but with the cost of the poly i would strip it off.

80 Grit? Bit aggressive there. You'll never get rid of the marks.

 

[Dodgy Diver]

ill 240 it then 600 before paint . but if I am to roll it ( id usually spray it but its to big for my workshop) what paint and rollers please
thanks
I want the top white

 

[Mr Googler]

I was going to suggest white! I found the pictures of it online…very grey. It will look great with white top sides ?

I used SML paints and it went well.

SML Marine Paints - Lustre - Gloss - Polyurethane

Make sure you get their slow thinners. I cocked up at first using Jotun thinners but it was too quick.

Maybe epoxy high build primer first? They sell everything you need inc dense foam rollers.

If you call…they discount a bit too if you ask.

International Supergloss HS is an option if you want to go single pack and save a load of hassle. Supposed to be really good

 

[Dodgy Diver]

I can’t upload a pic. Don’t know why from I phone

 

[Mr Googler]

That one?

 

[Dodgy Diver]

yeah thats it

its such a shame everything was black , even all the stainless and the teak , spent all weekend removing it all , the teak is stunning under all that crap

 

[Dodgy Diver]

so all the top has been sanded back to primer , and will be repainted in white , then new decals
sanding all the wood and re varnish , totally rip out the interior and replace , full boat re wire , new instruments and radio , engine needs a good going through as soon as I can get a good manual , the hull is solid and the trailer is well built but needs the brakes sorting

 

[Mr Googler]

Sounds great! Any photos? You can upload on here from an iPhone. Attach files….pick the photos…click on “show selected” and set the size to large.

what engine is it?

 

[Ferris]

so all the top has been sanded back to primer , and will be repainted in white , then new decals
sanding all the wood and re varnish , totally rip out the interior and replace , full boat re wire , new instruments and radio , engine needs a good going through as soon as I can get a good manual , the hull is solid and the trailer is well built but needs the brakes sorting

Sounds good! What colour 'white' are you going to do? If you are trying to match an original unpainted example the real colour might be closer to a very very light grey or ivory. Best to try and get a RAL number to try to match to. Personally I think that bright white does not suit older designs. In fact our own Broom was repainted the wrong shade in my view and I would have preferred the very very light grey to match original - would have been easier to keep clean too.