HELP! Primer Removal - The Hull Truth

gunner10 · 04-17-2009, 10:30 AM

I bought a two year old boat with bottom paint. I will be trailering the boat so I'd rather not have the antifouling paint again. The deal is all of the bottom paint came off with soy strip and so did some of the primer coat. The problem is getting the remainder of the primer off. I would say there's probably 75% left and its a thin coat. What would be the best suggestion to remove the rest obviously, I'm trying to get it back to the original gelcoat or at least get to where I can have it painted with a non anti fouling paint. Thank you for any advice you may have. Also if I can't get the primer off without ruining the gelcoat what kind of paint would be suggested? As you can see I'm a novice when it comes to paint/gelcoat issues. Thanks in advace for any suggestions.

Gunner

calmc · 04-17-2009, 10:46 PM

I will be facing the same situation soon. I am going to leave primer coat and apply interlux teflon white bottom paint. That primer is a killer to sand.

gunner10 · 04-18-2009, 05:22 AM

Are there no chemical strippers on the market to remove the primer coat or is the only option to sand it off? Like I said it appears the the bottom wasn't sanded before the the primer application.

gunner10 · 04-18-2009, 08:06 PM

bump

gunner10 · 04-19-2009, 07:10 AM

bump

Raybo Marine NY · 04-19-2009, 01:12 PM

sand the primer coat down and prime and paint over it with your choice of topcoat, chances are it is a epoxy primer and will be a great base for topcoat anyhow.

otherwise you have to sand it off and hope that you can polish the original gel back if you dont want to repaint the bottom.

gunner10 · 04-19-2009, 06:39 PM

I am trying to avoid any heavy sanding so I might be able to bring back to the gelcoat. I guess I'm asking if anyone has used any chemical strippers that has the strength to remove the Epoxy Primer but not ruin the gelcoat? Any luck?

BBaychop · 04-20-2009, 05:02 AM

I am in the process of removing bottom paint from my boat now and about 1/2 way complete it is alot of trial and error. What is working for me:

1 - Full strenght easy off oven cleaner for 30 minutes scrape down and wash off.
2 - immediately after cover with Spray 9 and scrub with a 3M green scrub pad then wash down
3- For the paint/primer that does not come off use West Marine Pro Strip. repeat steps 1 & 2.

My original intentions was to paint the bottom with Interlux VC perfomance epoxy, but I am finding the method above cleans the gel coat so well I am going with the original gel coat.

gunner10 · 04-20-2009, 06:50 PM

I think I'm going to try Aqua strip or Marine strip from Jamestown Distributors. Has anyone used this product?