CurtisP46
New Member
Hi I need a little help, the previous owner varnished the teak and also a lot of the gelcoat does any one know of a product or link that can help me remove the varnish without damaging the gelcoat. Thank's curtisP
Varnish on gelcoat
- Thread starter CurtisP46
- Start date
Nehalennia
Well-Known Member
- Aug 22, 2007
- 10,006
- Boat Info
- 2001 310DA twin 350 MAGs, Westerbeke 4.5KW
- Engines
- Twin 350 MAG V-drives
Hey Curtis
Sounds like the PO(Previous owner) had no clue, but one thing you can do is wetsand the varnish off. Yes it may sound a little scary or agressive, but if you are careful it can be done. Once you feel that the varnish is gone, you can compound the gelcoat, polish then wax.
Others that may have had to do this can chime in with more advice but be careful; you don't want to sand through the gelcoat.
Sounds like the PO(Previous owner) had no clue, but one thing you can do is wetsand the varnish off. Yes it may sound a little scary or agressive, but if you are careful it can be done. Once you feel that the varnish is gone, you can compound the gelcoat, polish then wax.
Others that may have had to do this can chime in with more advice but be careful; you don't want to sand through the gelcoat.
CurtisP46
New Member
Thank's for the info Todd I'll give it a try.
skibum
Well-Known Member
Some varnishes can be dissolved with mineral spirits. Keep the spot wet for a short time, maybe 10-15 minutes. MS dries fast, so you may need to reapply every 20-30 seconds or so. It should wipe off. If it starts getting tacky, keep going because it is working.
I have no clue about whether or not mineral spirits and gel coat are compatible.
Michael
I have no clue about whether or not mineral spirits and gel coat are compatible.
Michael
Last edited:
Asureyez
New Member
- Apr 22, 2007
- 1,535
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 460 Sundancer Hardtop 2001 - SOLD
- Engines
- Cummins 450 Diesels
Check on simple paint strippers for use on gelcoat. I know one of the newer Green Products is water based, and is applied and covered with plastic wrap for a few hours and then removed. The the paint and varnish just peels off. I do not know the brand, but there are in every marine store.
I'd go the stripper route first so I got all the coating off to avoid future yellowing of the residual coating.
I'd go the stripper route first so I got all the coating off to avoid future yellowing of the residual coating.
CurtisP46
New Member
Thanks for all the advice, I'm on my way back to the hardware store I think I'll try the acetone and wet sandpaper. All the paint removers I have found say not to use on fiberglass or gel coat even the green ones.
Captain Crispy
Member
- Nov 24, 2007
- 163
- Boat Info
- 33' 1987 Sportfisher II
- Engines
- hamsters...scurrying little hamsters...
West Marine and other boating outlets sell strippers [no, not the fun kind] which are safe for use on gelcoat.
Made by Pettit or Interlux, I think. I have a quart can in my garage; looks like a lighter fluid can for a charcoal grill. Green ink on a white label. Use the stripper,, tip her well, then send her on her way... no, sorry, wrong stripper... clean it with soap and water when done, then re-wax.
Made by Pettit or Interlux, I think. I have a quart can in my garage; looks like a lighter fluid can for a charcoal grill. Green ink on a white label. Use the stripper,, tip her well, then send her on her way... no, sorry, wrong stripper... clean it with soap and water when done, then re-wax.
Last edited:
ShamuToo
New Member
I had a stripper that I thought was safe on gelcoat, but then my wife found out about her.
ShamuToo
New Member
I had a stripper that I thought was safe on gelcoat, but her heels marked the stuff all up.
I had a stripper that I thought was safe on gelcoat, but left a serious mess. Boob glitter everywhere.
I could go on all day!
Seriously though, be careful with acetone, it is very tough on gelcoat. Interlux makes a stripper specifically for use on fiberglass. you can get it at West Marine.
I had a stripper that I thought was safe on gelcoat, but left a serious mess. Boob glitter everywhere.
I could go on all day!
Seriously though, be careful with acetone, it is very tough on gelcoat. Interlux makes a stripper specifically for use on fiberglass. you can get it at West Marine.
AKBASSKING
Active Member
- Apr 13, 2008
- 4,649
- Boat Info
- 1988 Yacht Fisher
- Engines
- Twin 375hp Cat 3208 T/A
My PO did the same thing. I took a punch with a flat point and carfully scrapped it off, took awhile. Most of the time it just flaked off. Then I took a little polishing compound to the area, applied wax and it came out looking great.
tobnpr
New Member
I agree with Tom.
Don't overcomplicate this if you don't need to.
I've occasionally had some drips overnight when varnishing my covering boards. The varnish doesn't bond well to the gelcoat- particularly if it's got a coat of wax.
Take the point of a razor blade and very carefully try to lift an edge. Most of the time, you'll find it peels /flakes right off.
Don't overcomplicate this if you don't need to.
I've occasionally had some drips overnight when varnishing my covering boards. The varnish doesn't bond well to the gelcoat- particularly if it's got a coat of wax.
Take the point of a razor blade and very carefully try to lift an edge. Most of the time, you'll find it peels /flakes right off.
CurtisP46
New Member
Thanks for all the help, so far I've been getting most of it off with a light wet sanding.This boat has been more of a project than I ever imagined, it's still not pretty but it looks like my wife and I can finally go out in for the first time tomorrow! Thanks again I'm sure I'll have more questions.
CurtisP46
New Member
Don't stress about using acetone. We use it all the time. Just don't leave a saturated rag sitting on the gel and go walking away for beer. Believe it or not, if you're careful and have had experience with it, you can actually use acetone on vinyl. But, I will stress the "experience" part.
