Sanding Topsides & Antifoul

[forrestmichael]

Hi, me again /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

When sanding a GRP hull can I use an electric sander or will this clog the papers too quickly and not do a good job?

Advice much apreciated as always, you'll be sick of me and my questions until I get my boat back in the water...

Thanks Mike

 

[cindersailor]

A random orbit sander is the only thing for the job in my opinion, can be had from B&Q etc for £25 or so, the more powerful the better. I once removed at least 4 coats of paint from the topsides of a 21 footer with one. Only got through about 20 abrasive discs, 80 grade. If you are sanding antifoul however you will need to use good old wet and dry and elbow grease, you cannot risk the dust, even if you are wearing a suitable mask, others around you will not.

 

[mickshep]

I 2nd the random orbital approach to removing topside paint, I bought a Macalister from B&Q. Did a fantastic job. Rather than wet & dry for the antifoul I used a pull scraper. Not sure of the make now but basically tubular alloy painted yellow with a double sided tungsten blade, This works really well taking off in my case over 4mm of old anti-foul in one sweep. One tip I would add is to take off the corners of the blade with a grinder as they can dig in. Regards and good luck, Mike.

 

[lw395]

Harris do a tungsten carbide scraper which is very good

 

[magwych]

I concur with the stripper, and do round the corners off before using.

When we bought our Jouet 760 she had several layers of all types and colours of antifouling. During our first winter lay up we scraped it all off, got right back to the Gel Coat, then applied two coats of epoxy, a primer then two coats of anitfoul. Every lay-up since she just needs a rub down with wet and dry then recoating with anti foul.
The time spent on that first strip and preparation has been repaid time and time again on subsequent years. It was hell at the time though, next time we do anything like that we will pull her in August, not February !

 

[Lakesailor]

Just done a Prelude (19ft) in February. I have a tungsten scraper as described, but found it of only some use. I did the main part of it with a handful of old 1" chisels which I kept sharpening on a bench grinder. If you get your technique right it won't even scuff the gelcoat and although hard work, you are pushing up rather than holding up and pulling across. Which means for those of us with wibbly backs, it's a better bet.

It was chilly.