Paint strpping

[kieronriley]

I am going to paint my small fishing / pleasure boat, it’s fibre glass and the paint on it , we’ll certainly the top coat it’s peeling as I pull a rope over it, what would you do to prepare it for a new coat of decent paint, I think that stripping it may be the best way but , how to go about it . It’s at least thirty years old so could have a lot of coats.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

The easiest results I've had were using 50/50 Persil Bio/water, soaking for days. That's great if you've got a big enough container, not so much on a hull, but I'd try it on a patch by soaking a cloth and covering it to keep it damp. If it works it'll be worth the try because the paint often comes off in sheets. All depends on what it was painted with. but the fact that it's coming off that easily is encouraging.

The best chemical stripper I've used (of late) is Synstryp from Starchem. It's as good as the now-banned types were, but using it on grp means that you mustn't slap it on and leave it, you've got to get the softened paint off quickly to ensure that unused stripper isn't sitting on the gelcoat which will soften.

Then there's sanding, best done wet with an air sander. Messy, but once you've found which grade of paper works best you should be done in a day.

 

[rotrax]

The stripper used to remove graffiti from bricks and concrete does not affect GRP.

 

[Restoration man]

I’ve used screwfix own brand paint stripper on my boat doesn’t seem to damaged the fiberglass, infact mine was good enough to re polish when I finish it

 

[Poignard]

The stripper used to remove graffiti from bricks and concrete does not affect GRP.

Can you remember the name of it. please? I have a deck to strip.

 

[rotrax]

I'll take a look at the container - it still has an inch in the bottom left - tomorrow and let you know.

I called a company that offered a marine stripper that did not affect GRP.

I almost fell over at the cost of a 4 litre container. The guy on the 'phone then said " Buy our graffiti remover - same stuff, much cheaper. "

So I did, and it was perfect.

 

[rotrax]

Sorry Chaps, just been out to the shed - in my dressing gown - to find the plastic 4 litre container has no suppliers/makers information on it, just the warning and how to labels.

I purchased it about 7 years ago for our previous boat to strip the finish from about 65 square feet of solid teak toerail and cockpit surround.

The suppliers information is long gone, we have had two computers since then.

 

[kieronriley]

well thanks very much for your answers, i think i shall have to find the graffiti remover, i do have a very vague memory of using it in the past ,but cant for the life of me remember what i used it on . But a vague one again i seem to Remember being very impressed by the results , i shall ask my younger brother tomorrow as ime sure he was on the job with me, ill write again if i get any more info, once again thnks

 

[Poignard]

Sorry Chaps, just been out to the shed - in my dressing gown - to find the plastic 4 litre container has no suppliers/makers information on it, just the warning and how to labels.

I purchased it about 7 years ago for our previous boat to strip the finish from about 65 square feet of solid teak toerail and cockpit surround.

The suppliers information is long gone, we have had two computers since then.

Never mind. I hope you didn't catch cold.