Topsides work

[dgadee]

The project boat's topsides (Fulmar) had been painted with one pack at some time in the past and hasn't really weathered the world too well. Concerto says that there is about 3mm in an elderly Westerly gel coat. I did the stern (sand and polish) and agree that there is more gel coat than usual. I plan 240 grit to remove the existing paint then work up the grades to 800 or 1000.Then polish.

Could I get away with grit more coarse than 240? That was what I used on the stern but it did take a goodly bit of work.

 

[KevinV]

I used paint stripper on mine, then 240. Buy a bulk pack and change them every 5 or 10 minutes.

 

[Boater Sam]

Paint strip first is best then you don't go through the gel on the pointy bits.

 

[Concerto]

In places I used 180 grit due to lots of discoloured gel coat as the Ryland gel coat used is not UV stable. When I bought Concerto, she was trimmed in red including a red painted transom. When I suggested removing all the paint and compounding the transom, everyone said just paint it white. 4 days of work and everyone then said I had done the right thing, funny that they changed their minds. For those who have not seen the changes this composite photo shows the before, during and finished job.

 

[dgadee]

Grp paint stripper? Small areas at a time? Cover with plastic?

Concerto just sanded, nothing else?

 

[Concerto]

Grp paint stripper? Small areas at a time? Cover with plastic?

Concerto just sanded, nothing else?

Just dry sanded through the grades and then compounded.