krj wrote:
Jim, wrote:

Danny wrote:

Had the same dilemma with an Islander 30 we bought years ago. I
bought a long handled, wide wood chisel. Started at one end, dug in
and pushed through to the other. Paint chips came off like sparks
from a campfire. Worked well but it 'twas a damned hard job.

"Thomas Wentworth" wrote in message
news:7tcWf.1303$ZJ.181@trndny04...

I looked at a boat this past weekend. There must have been twenty
layers of bottom paint. It was so thick, ....

I'm thinking ??? ,, how on earth does one get this bottom paint
off. Sanding will do the trick but I would think it might take a month.

What is the prefered method of bottom paint removal? What tools to
use? Is there a bottom paint removal substance?

After the bottom paint is removed, right down to the bare gelcoat
... about August 1st .. joke there ..

After the bottom paint is removed,, what should be done? Put a thin
coat back on? Put on a coat of the sealer stuff?

Bottom paint doctors wanted ,, calling doctor Scrape, Sand, and
Remove ,, calling doctor Scrape, Sand and Remove ...




The easy way (but a little dangerous) -- Gloves and goggles are a
must. Also be warned that this works best in warm weather -- 60
degrees or better -- Warmer is better

Go to the $1 store and get 3 plastic buckets, some cheap paint
brushes, some plastic spatulas. And a plastic drop cloth.

Then go to the Supermarket and get some cornstarch and lye (NOT drain
cleaner, plain old lye)

Put the drop cloth under your boat

Fill 2 buckets 1/3 full of cool water

To 1 add 1 can (I think it comes in 14 OZ sizes) lye stirring
carefully with a stick -- the splashes will eat your clothing, and
burn your skin

To the other add about 1/2 box Cornstarch, again stirring well

Then slowly add the cornstarch mix to the lye mix while stirring --
stop when it gets to the consistency of pancake batter. Save any
remains for the next mix.

Slather it on the hull as thick as you can with one of the paint brushes

Go get coffee, or your beverage of choice -- come back in about 20 min

Scrape off the resulting glop with a plastic scraper (remember Gloves
and goggles) and put it in Bucket #3 for proper disposal

Repeat if necessary, but I removed about 20 years of paint from a 28'
boat this way in about 2 days -- usually 1 coat of glop is enough --
if it's cool, or doesn't seem to be working -- wait longer for the
bottom paint to soften.

When finished with a section, flush with a lot of water. If you get
any on yourself flush with water -- if you get any in your eyes -- get
medical attention.

Don't believe me -- try it on a small section first -- won't cost
much. I have wondered if someone could use Tyvex and stick it to the
glop as a poor mans peal-away system.

And just where do you dispose of this environmental mess?
krj

Locally there are 2 days/year when the County accepts it, and arranges
for one of the major industries to burn in in a high temp incinerator.
Much the same as any old paint, or other household chemicals, Suggest
you check with your local EPA office