Stripping Bottom Paint

[drj]

Hey guys.
Anyone ever use a chemical stripper to remove several layers of anti fouling paint? or would you still recommend sanding? I want to get it off the best way and then i am going to paint it with non antifouling.

[WiseGuy]

I used an excellent stripper called BIX from Home Depot. Spray on thick, let sit maybe 10-15 min., spray a little more, wait 5 min, then run over it with with a plastic putty knife/scraper - Like butter! Then I hit it again later with a light coat and wiped it clean to the gelcoat. That will get it good enough to put another clean coat on. Get the BIX that says ok for fiberglass.

[steplift20]

can htat stuff from home epot be used on gelcoat?
you have to read the labels some of that stuff is no god for boats
just wondering

[randlemanboater]

LumberSlinger had his hull "soda blasted". And you see how nice his is now.

[WiseGuy]

If you can pay someone, that's the way to go - it's a $hitty job to do for sure. Here's mine as I started at the bow, stripping and wiping down. I used the BIX in the orange can, as it stated OK for fiberglass - no ill effects. Would it hurt the gelcoat sitting on it over a long period of time? - I cannot say. Worked well for me and that's all I can attest to. Took the old boot stripe right off also. The hull will be stained from the previous paint still, but since you'll paint it no problem, or sand clean. This stuff worked FAR better than the WAY more expensive 'marine store' stripper.

Again, if you can get someone else to do it, so much the better. Might be some better pics in my gallery on pg5 (don't remember).

[tsubaki]

I've used this on the gel coat with no harmful effects.

It does remove automotive paint, don't know if it works good on antifouling.