Nancy Murphy wrote:
Hi,


I'd like to remove the thick decade and a half worth of cumulative coats
of Cetol, repaint some trim and then reapply Cetol.

All documentation on preparing surfaces previously coated with Cetol
says no removal is necessary, just apply another coat.

Does anyone have suggestions for removal?

I used Cetol on two boats for more than 10 years combined. I always
"sanded" the top coats off with fine bronze wool before applying a new
coat each year, and then applied two new coats, which kept it from
building up and becoming opaque.

Try bronze wool...if that doesn't work, use sandpaper--and sand
LIGHTLY--just enough pressure to cut through the Cetol, but not deeply
enough to get into the wood. Start with medium grit, then finish with
0000 to end up with a "baby-butt" smooth surface...wipe down with
mineral spirits, then apply two new coats. It sounds labor intensive,
but Cetol comes off quite easily. It rarely took me more than about 2
hours to prepare a mid-'80s 340 Sea Ray (they were covered with teak
trim) for two new coats.

Chemical hopefully ;~)

Chemical removers are likely to swell the grain, putting you back to
square one where some MAJOR sanding will be required again. All you
really want to do is strip off the buildup while leaving the "layer"
that seals the wood.
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://www.seaworthy.com/html/get_ri...oat_odors.html