Bottom Paint removal

water rat

water rat

New Member
Jul 9, 2007
424
Tampa
Someone got a dime size drip of bottom paint on my swim platform at our (former) marina. Fortunately, it isn't on the textured part of the platform, it's on the edge.

Any suggestions on the best way to remove it? Acetone or mineral spirits? Just wondering, before I go out and spend any money!

thanks!
 
I bet if you tried to scrape it off with a credit card it would pop right off the shiny gelcoat. Paint doesn't stick to unsanded glossy surfaces.
 
I did try scraping it off - about half came off - the rest is being stubborn. Plus it looks like it has stained the gel coat. aargh.
 
Its not stained. Gelcoat is porus and you may have to work at it but it'll come off.

For a spot that small, I'd try Easy Off oven cleaner applied with a Q-tip or a commercial pait remover. Both are caustic and you will need to flush thoroughly. When you get the paint gone, wash the area...as small as possible.... with ammonia and a tooth brush. AMmonia will remove bottom paint residue. LAst, use a good compound and buff out all the damage you did and rewax.

Good luck..........
 
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will work too. Contrary to common belief these erasers have no chemicals in them. They are pure melamine foam and are a micro abrasive. That's how they work.
 
water rat said:
Someone got a dime size drip of bottom paint on my swim platform at our (former) marina. Fortunately, it isn't on the textured part of the platform, it's on the edge.

Any suggestions on the best way to remove it? Acetone or mineral spirits? Just wondering, before I go out and spend any money!

thanks!
Click to expand...

some acetone (use wife's nail polish remover) and some rubbing compound will do the job
you may want to put some wax after cleaning
 
Thanks. fyi - I am the wife! I'm the total boatnut in the house.

I'll give the nail polish remover a whirl and take it from there.

I just get really annoyed at careless people slopping bottom paint around at the marina. aargh!
 
I am laid off, but back to work soon, i am cost concious ,, my SR has probly 15 coats on her hull, has anyone sanded a hull?? orbital?, vibrater? what grit? thanks Tim
 
If you don't want to spend the money to get it soda blasted, you can use the chemical strippers like Peel Away. They work well but are a MESS. I'd recommend stripping this way first, then sand the residue with a random orbit sander. These won't dig like a circular will. Don't get too agressive with the grit.
 
With 15 coats of paint, you'll be paing on stripper 'till next Christmas. Get after it with 80 grit open coat paper and high speed air sander if you've done a bottom before, with an orbital if you have not.
 
15 coats of paint.

Hmm. Are you using ablative or non-ablative paint? If it is ablative, I bet you don't really have 15 coats on there :)
 
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