Bottom Paint Removal
 

I plan to haul my 30 ft powerboat to clean the many layers of old bottom
paint right down to the gelcoat. There are several brands of chemical
strippers available, but all apparently require a lot of very messy work.
I have heard about a process called soda blasting, which is similar to sand
blasting, but they use baking soda. It is supposed to be environmentally
friendly, and doesn't harm the gelcoat. (presumably, if done correctly).

Has anybody had any experience with soda blasting, or is there a recommended
method / product for removing bottom paint? (Other than hiring someeone else
to do it) The soda blast option sounds like it would be quick, and therefore
relatively inexpensive. All comments greatfully appreciated.
Thanks.

G.E. Way wrote:
I plan to haul my 30 ft powerboat to clean the many layers of old bottom
paint right down to the gelcoat. There are several brands of chemical
strippers available, but all apparently require a lot of very messy work.
I have heard about a process called soda blasting, which is similar to sand
blasting, but they use baking soda. It is supposed to be environmentally
friendly, and doesn't harm the gelcoat. (presumably, if done correctly).


Can't comment on soda blasting, but can on CO2 pellets which is a
technique used by tank cleaners in oil refineries.

Definitely expensive, requires extensive training and does a great job.

I would not expect soda cleaning to be a DIY process, but I could be wrong.

Lew

Where are you ? I can put you in touch with someone who does soda blasting
for a living, including boats, if you'd like.

jim

"G.E. Way" wrote in message
news:6ffLe.199430$5V4.3627@pd7tw3no...
I plan to haul my 30 ft powerboat to clean the many layers of old bottom
paint right down to the gelcoat. There are several brands of chemical
strippers available, but all apparently require a lot of very messy work.
I have heard about a process called soda blasting, which is similar to
sand
blasting, but they use baking soda. It is supposed to be environmentally
friendly, and doesn't harm the gelcoat. (presumably, if done correctly).

Has anybody had any experience with soda blasting, or is there a
recommended
method / product for removing bottom paint? (Other than hiring someeone
else
to do it) The soda blast option sounds like it would be quick, and
therefore
relatively inexpensive. All comments greatfully appreciated.
Thanks.

My Freind had his boat blasted (34 Phoenix) and it came out great. It
started out very expensive here in South Florida (about $2000 for the
34'' boat) but now that there are several providers and the price has
dropped dramatically (Gotta love free competition...) I will probably
do my 48 this winter. I tried having it "double sanded" last winter and
it took off maybe 3-4 years worth.... still have 10 years to go!!!!

What is the going rate per foot around the country?



Jim Bailey wrote:
Where are you ? I can put you in touch with someone who does soda blasting
for a living, including boats, if you'd like.

jim

"G.E. Way" wrote in message
news:6ffLe.199430$5V4.3627@pd7tw3no...

I plan to haul my 30 ft powerboat to clean the many layers of old bottom
paint right down to the gelcoat. There are several brands of chemical
strippers available, but all apparently require a lot of very messy work.
I have heard about a process called soda blasting, which is similar to

sand

blasting, but they use baking soda. It is supposed to be environmentally
friendly, and doesn't harm the gelcoat. (presumably, if done correctly).

Has anybody had any experience with soda blasting, or is there a

recommended

method / product for removing bottom paint? (Other than hiring someeone

else

to do it) The soda blast option sounds like it would be quick, and

therefore

relatively inexpensive. All comments greatfully appreciated.
Thanks.

Damn, many years ago someone I was talking to was in the business of
sandblasting the inside of fuel tanks and other places with nasty
chemicals and he was complaining about the volume of the sand to be
disposed of as hazardous waste. Off the top of my head with no
experience in the field, I wondered aloud if blasting with dry ice
would work as there would be no blasting media residue. Now, I see
from Lew Hodgetts post that this is now being done. Is'pose I am not
dissapointed, If I really wanted to, I woulda patented it then and
there.

Damn, many years ago someone I was talking to was in the business of
sandblasting the inside of fuel tanks and other places with nasty
chemicals and he was complaining about the volume of the sand to be
disposed of as hazardous waste. Off the top of my head with no
experience in the field, I wondered aloud if blasting with dry ice
would work as there would be no blasting media residue. Now, I see
from Lew Hodgetts post that this is now being done. Is'pose I am not
dissapointed, If I really wanted to, I woulda patented it then and
there.

Hmm, maybe apply microwaves from the inside (or outside if the paint is
non-conductive). The microwaves will heat the water in the gelcoat and
cause the paint to spall from the surface.............

I think I have heard of some kind of cloth soaked in a stripping
solution that you press up along the hull then peal away later, taking
the paint with it?

In article 6ffLe.199430$5V4.3627@pd7tw3no,
"G.E. Way" wrote:

I plan to haul my 30 ft powerboat to clean the many layers of old bottom
paint right down to the gelcoat. There are several brands of chemical
strippers available, but all apparently require a lot of very messy work.
I have heard about a process called soda blasting, which is similar to sand
blasting, but they use baking soda. It is supposed to be environmentally
friendly, and doesn't harm the gelcoat. (presumably, if done correctly).

Has anybody had any experience with soda blasting, or is there a recommended
method / product for removing bottom paint? (Other than hiring someeone else
to do it) The soda blast option sounds like it would be quick, and therefore
relatively inexpensive. All comments greatfully appreciated.
Thanks.


Soda blasting works very well. Had it done for time & materials and it
was quite cost-effective.

If you want to do it yourself, there's a scraper with a carbide blade
that friends swear by. I can try to find the exact name if you want.....

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/