Paint Removal on Fiberglass/Gelcoat

[Boatingfool]

I purchased a Sea Ray and the previous owners painted the boat name on the side of the flying bridge.

Does anyone know of a safe product that will remove paint without hurting the gelcoat?

Thanks,

 

[Arizona240DA]

I recently had the pleasure of performing this task. A heat gun to soften the paint itself, followed by acetone (I know it seems abrasive), but it did the trick. The paint removed was two-toned, metallic base and gloss black overlapping one another. Needless to say it was time consuming. I followed up with Meguiar’s #67 Compound, #45 Polish and then #56 Wax. The paint had been on the boat since 2001 and I am unable to tell where it was now.

Best,
Chris

 

[sbw1]

Try Easy Off oven cleaner on a small part to see if that cuts the paint. If it does, that should work just fine.

 

[xravenx]

NO, DO NOT USE EASY OFF!!

I tried it on a very small area at the water line and it yellowed the gel coat and I had a hell of a time bringing back the white gel coat. That was 4 years ago and it is just about gone now. Someone told me to use On / Off and I mistaked it for Easy / Off.

John

 

[fwebster]

Easy-Off usually does a good job for removing painted on names but it may take several passes. Before applying it, wash the area thoroughly with ammonia/water to remove everything on the surface, even the wax, and you shouldnt get any yellowing.

Xravenx- I suspect the oven cleaner reacted with whatever was on your waterline to cause a yellowish stain. Rust-Aid or Oxacylic acid will usually remove the yellow stains by just spraying it on.

 

[sbw1]

Hydrochloric acid is good for stains at the water line as well. Just use it prior to touching up the bottom paint because it causes a blue green stain on black paint. My water line is pretty grudgy by October but it is bright white after a pass with HCL and a good flush of water. Good to follow that with fine compound and good wax. The paint that is removed on the above mentioned boat may leave a shadow that can be wet sanded away. Before resorting to sanding try a heavy grit compound followed by a fine compound to get the shine back.

 

[fwebster]

The paint shadow has nothing to do with the removal method you choose. It is actually a raised place where the paint has protected the gelcoat underneath from the sun, weather, etc. and the gelcoat around it is oxidized away. If it is bad enough to need sanding.....may not be in Annapolis, wherever that is....but would be in Florida, be sure you block sand the area before compounding to level out the stop covered by the paint.

 

[Boatingfool]

Thanks for all of your recommendations! Hopefully its warm enough his weekend to get the paint off.

 

[Arizona240DA]

Good luck!

C-