Stripping bottom paint
 

Yesterday, i started on a project i wanted to do since i first purchased my V20, stripping the bottom paint off. Got the Johnson off (and it will not be going back on!), and have the boat off the trailer on blocks.

First i tried sanding it with 40 grit sandpaper. It worked fast but with in three minutes i was covered head to toe with bottom paint.

So, i went to West Marine to look at the Aircraft Paint Stripper. Then trying to check out they was having trouble with their card readers. Out of nowhere a guy showed up that i gave a piece of teak to. He paid for my $30 gallon of paint stripper. :clap: I could not believe it.

So far i have half of one side and about a 1/4 of the other side and the transom done. It is not taking it all 100% off, and i have to apply it in layers, i think its only taking one layer off a time. I think there is 4-6 coats of bottom paint on her. :head: Next weekend i will finish stripping the bulk then i will sand the remaining off with finer sand paper when i get it in the garage.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm001.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm002.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm004.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm005.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm003.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...bttmclm006.jpg

Better you then me! That's why I never striped mine, what a crappy job to have to do!!

Good Luck with the rest

Nice! Which stripper did you buy? I need to strip mine as well.

wow!!! now thats a job!! are you gonna sand and buff the old gell coat? or are you gonna repaint?

Macojoe, its not too bad of a job, until a big glob of stripper falls onto your eyelid. I ran into the house as fast as i could to wash it off. I literally ran into the house. :you: Missed the entire f-in door! Goggles are a must, this crap burnt!

Curapa, I bought the Kleen-Strip Aircraft Fiberglass Paint Remover. $29 for a gallon at West Marine. I think one gallon will do the V20. I have over half gallon left now. www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=82&prodid=113

Kracker, i will sand everything smooth then repaint. It will be either blue or black.

Kleen-strip is good stuff. Im using that stuff to strip my t-top. Anfd used it to strip my motocycle frame it works great. But burns sensitive areas!!! as you already know.

Nice job KJ! Ive got to do the same thing to mine, been putting it off. My V has at least four layers of antifoulant paint to remove. Not looking forward to doing it. What paint are you planning to go back with? Do you keep yours on the trailer or in the water?

Mine stays on the trailer. I have been researching paint for the bottom and so far i am leaning towards an epoxy paint. Like Sherwin Williams Tile Clad HS. I used it before and its very durable. I have also been researching possibly gel coating the entire outside of the hull. But i have a design i want to use but not sure how to do it.

I'm going with INTERLUX VC performance epoxy. A lot of people stand by it and it has great reviews. It's perfect for our boats being on a trailer.

Just looked at the VC epoxy. It only comes in white. :cry: But reading the description its perfect for trailered boats. They need to offer it in a few more colors.

I keep reading sprayed gelcoat is very hard to achieve a smooth surface, and that the only real way to get a smooth surface is to spray it in a mold. Price wise its about the same as paint, maybe less. I guess its all in how much work you want to put in. If i can borrow a gel coat gun, i may spray the transom to see how much work is really involved. Anyone here ever done it?