Paint stripper, or not?

[alanabnala]

Is it safe (or advisable) to use a paint stripper, such as nitromors, on GRP? Also any tips on the best method of cleaning/polishing/restoring the finish on unpainted GRP.

 

[Pasarell]

Only use a stripper designed for GRP on GRP! I think Nitromors do make one but various others available too. If it contains methylene chloride it is not suitable as it will soften the surface permanently.
If your gelcoat surface is old, flat, discoloured etc best way to restore is with a cutting compound or oxalic acid - or both. Once you have the surface smooth and back to the correct colour a good marine polish and wax regularly will keep it looking good. Be careful not to use so much cutting compound that you go through the gelcoat! Oxalic acid can be bought in branded form like Y10 or far more cheaply from e-bay where you mix it up yourself.

 

[boatmike]

Theoretically you shouldn't but it's OK if you have a hose ready and as soon as you have removed the paint wash down with lots of water.

 

[seanfoster]

Nitromours should definately not be used on GRP, unless you want to disolve your gelcoat away!

there are a few products on the market which are designed to strip paint (and A/F) from GRP, namely Interstrip, Dilunet, these are quite expensive, there is a 'non boaty' (by which I mean non ripoff) type that is much more economical called RemovAll 620: http://www.paint-stripper.co.uk/removall_paint_stripper_marine.htm

 

[Fascadale]

I was advised on this forum to use a product called "Dilunet"

Dilunet claims to be GRP friendly.

Whenever I have used it, mainly to remove a boat name painted with hard enamel paint, the dilunet has left yellow staining on the hull.

This staining fades away after about 24 hours. (At least it does on my 35 yr old boat)

I would be very cautious with any strong chemical coming in contact with GRP. If you go the Dilunet route test it on an inconspicuous bit of the hull first to see if it stains and whether the stains then fade

Good luck

 

[boatmike]

I did say "theoretically you shouldn't" but I doubt if any of the other posters have ever tried it. I have used it many times and I repeat that if you wash it off and clean the surface thoroughly after use it is quite all right. If in doubt try on a small area first, but I do concur that if you leave it on a gel coat surface for any length of time it will soften the gel coat. Experiments I did proved that it takes a couple of hours to even affect the surface though and it should remove paint in about 15 minutes. If in doubt use the other stuff. It's, more expensive, not as agressive and won't strip all kinds of paint especially 2 pack epoxy but it won't damage the gel coat.

 

[alanabnala]

Thank you to all for your responses. I have a clear idea now of what to do and more importantly what not to do. Nobody mentioned the copious amounts of elbow grease required though /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Kilter]

Get on with it you lazy beggar! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[alanabnala]

I shall remember all instances of abuse, especially when you are asking for help, sanding, painting etc /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif