Stripping interior paint from rough GRP

[Seasick Ian]

Hi all,

I've been trying to remove the last of the flaking paint from the forepeak, I got most of it off with no-nonsense paint stripper from screwfix, but this only really worked where it was smooth enough to use a scraper. There are a lot of areas that have a very rough finish with pockets of paint between raised strands of glass. Sanding doesn't seem viable as I'd have a lot of material to remove to get to a level surface. Any recommended grinder/drill attachments? Wire cup brush? Anyone found any tricks for making this easy?

 

[pvb]

Why do you want to remove it all? Presumably you're going to re-finish it in some way? A little residual stuff probably won't matter.

 

[Seasick Ian]

Yep, I want to repaint, and a lot of this stuff is pretty flaky so it won't be a great surface for the new paint.

 

[waynes world]

I have done similar jobs a few times and all you can do is either whole hog and sand/soda blast it, which i would think you dont want to do. Or again use paint stripper and use a stiff brush or wire brush to get in the areas you need to.

Wayne

 

[Poignard]

Wire hand brush with s/s bristles.

 

[duncan99210]

I used a surface preparation disc from Screwfix (https://www.screwfix.com/p/surface-preparation-wheel-with-arbor-100mm/31074). It works well at removing loose/flaking paint without damaging the underlying grp. But it does produce clouds of fine dust, so you'll need a good respirator type mask and I'd wear a coverall and hood. Worth the hassle as it does the job.

 

[Poignard]

I used a surface preparation disc from Screwfix (https://www.screwfix.com/p/surface-preparation-wheel-with-arbor-100mm/31074). It works well at removing loose/flaking paint without damaging the underlying grp. But it does produce clouds of fine dust, so you'll need a good respirator type mask and I'd wear a coverall and hood. Worth the hassle as it does the job.

Interesting. Was one wheel sufficient for a forepeak? Does it tend to clog?

 

[Poignard]

Has anyone here tried stabilising solution in tbis situation?

https://www.sandtex.co.uk/products/quick-dry-stabilising-solution/5

 

[duncan99210]

Interesting. Was one wheel sufficient for a forepeak? Does it tend to clog?

I removed the remnants of carpet backing, old masonary paint and polystyrene ceiling tiles from the interior of my Hurley 18. I used three or four wheels doing the job: the paint wore the wheels at a higher rate than the softer carpet/tile remnants.
Before finding the wheels, I used scrapers, a random orbital sander, palm sander and wire cup brush. All relatively ineffective compared to the wheel and the wire cup,brush had a tendency to damage the grp unless you were very careful.

 

[Iain C]

"Face Off Disc" from Hawke House...job done.

 

[VicS]

"Face Off Disc" from Hawke House...job done.

Is that any different to the "surface preparation wheel" suggested in #6 ?

 

[Muddy Boat]

I used a surface preparation disc from Screwfix (https://www.screwfix.com/p/surface-preparation-wheel-with-arbor-100mm/31074). It works well at removing loose/flaking paint without damaging the underlying grp. But it does produce clouds of fine dust, so you'll need a good respirator type mask and I'd wear a coverall and hood. Worth the hassle as it does the job.

+1. Except I got mine from toolstation as cheaper

They are very impressive but do smear if any sticky glue residue left. Worth also getting the version that fits in a drill to get into the awkward corners.

 

[Lodesman77]

"Face Off Disc" from Hawke House...job done.

+1. I prefer the angle grinder version. http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/face-off-disc-angle-grinder.html

 

[Seasick Ian]

Brilliant, thanks for that. The prep wheel looks the business. I think I'll go for the drill one first seeing as a lot of the flecks are over head and the grinder is pretty hefty....