Paint stripping boat name on GRP

G

Gnasher

New Member
Joined
28 May 2017
Messages
6
Visit site
I've been googling the subject of removing boat name paint from GRP as I'm keen replace my fading painted name with new graphics. Our USA cousins speak well of their domestic oven cleaning product called easy off.
Can anyone recommend other GRP safe paint stripping products that are more readily available in the UK?
What ingredients should I stay away from ? Thanks in advance.
 
We removed the painted name on ours with very fine 1000 grit W&D used with soapy water. Came off easily and repolished before applying new name.
 
Are you going to change the name? If not then consider using a vinyl graphic over the top of the old one. This is easier than you might imagine. I did it on mine by going to a local van-sign company ( every town has at least one). They provided me with a sort of sticky tracing paper to trace the outline of the old name. I returned it to them and using their computer system they tidied it up, made all the lines straight, curves good etc and then made me a new name about a couple of mm larger all round. In the meantime I had taken more of the old name off and tidied up the edges. It was then a simple job of sticking the new over the old. Not perfect, but not expensive and very time-effective. Once the computer work has been done by the sign writer each additional name, scaled to whatever size you want is then very cheap.
 
You answered it yourself, oven cleaner.

If it's been there for a long time it'll still be visible where the gelcoat will be raised where the paint was, Fine wet and dry on a block will finish the job.
 
On a previous boat I had great success by using cheap DIY stores own brand paint stripper.
Own brand DIY, on the basis that they are usually weaker than the market leaders.
I did a small test sample area first to make sure there was not a severe reaction and then followed up with several
"gentle" strip rather than a slap it on thick approach.
Worked well, with no damage to the Gelcoat.
 
Use Owatrol Dilunett available at most good chandlers, brush it on and leave for 4/5 hours (it does not run) , then simply hose or jet wash off,
BUT it is especially designed not to damage GRP, used it twice to remove painted boat name and no problems
 
I used caustic soda made into bloop with wallpaper paste. Worked well, cheap and didn't turn transom into lace. Nasty stuff though so take precautions
 
Gnasher said:
I've been googling the subject of removing boat name paint from GRP as I'm keen replace my fading painted name with new graphics. Our USA cousins speak well of their domestic oven cleaning product called easy off.
Can anyone recommend other GRP safe paint stripping products that are more readily available in the UK?
What ingredients should I stay away from ? Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Any caustic soda based paint stripper or oven cleaner Should remove it .... provided it is not a polyurethane.

I use Oven Mate as an oven cleaner which I think is actually caustic potash ( KOH) as opposed to caustic soda ( NaOH)

Owatrol Dilunett or Marine Strip as suggested above
 
Slightly different here, I used a newish carbide paint scraper. It was very easy to remove the old paint without damaging the gelcoat. Quick buff afterwards and ready for the new sticky name.
 
Last edited:
I believe Dilunett is basically caustic soda. This or oven cleaner will work well on traditional paints.
If you find it doesn't work on your lettering, you can safely try a paint stripper based on benzyl alcohol such as B & Q's or Wickes own brand. (I think even Nitromors is the same now.) I've deliberately tested the B & Q one on gelcoat, no effect. It will work on tougher paints than caustic soda, and very well on antifouling (Micron Extra was my test) on which I've found caustic soda hopeless.
Do NOT use one based on dichloromethane (methylene dichloride) like Nitromors and Wickes used to be. That attacks gelcoat quite strongly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top