Stripping paint...alternatives?

[ricphoto]

As I dig down through the 4th layer of paint on the Chinook I'm wondering if there isn't a more efficient (read: easier ;-) way than I've been doing it...

I'm using Citristrip as the others I tried seemed to pit the gelcoate...applying it generously, waiting a few hours and scraping off a few layers, reapply and scrape again...finally getting down to where I can use the orbital with 80 then 120 grit...

Today as I was browsing the Harbor Freight site looking for a sandblaster for the trailers I noticed they had all kinds of other materials other than sand that seemed to be for different materials...one they advertised was various grades of Baking Soda supposedly for stripping fiberglass...Has anyone ever tried this?

Thanks...Ric

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Ric -

You might send an e-mail to member Lon Racus, who has done a fair amount of sandblasting, and probably also bead-blasting. I'm sure there's a media that would be just right for removing old paint from a gelcoated surface...without eating your boat alive.

- Marty

[Helmar]

Ric.
I got some creamy stuff in a tub from Tim Jones a few years ago to strip paint without hurting the gelcoat. It worked pretty good.
I just can't remember what it was called now.

When Tim comes up for air after working on the 31 foot Skagit, he might jump in.

[ricphoto]

[QUOTE=Helmar...
I got some creamy stuff in a tub. It worked pretty good.
[/QUOTE]

Hmmmm...are we talking the same kind of stripping here?

;-p

...Ric

[ricphoto]

Marty...

I tried to find Lon on the members list...no luck...is he under a handle?

Thanks...Ric

[Helmar]

Lon is Straycat ;)

[McSkagit Tim Jones]

The paint remover I gave Joe is called Peel-Away. You paint in on and then cover the stuff with waxed paper. Leave it for a few hours....maybe half a day. Then use a putty knife to start the peel. Once you get it going, the paint comes off stuck to the waxed paper. Not real strong chemically, so it doesn't hurt the gelcoat. I've taken off several layers of bottom paint with the stuff. Highly recommend.......

McSkagit:D

[sparrowhawk]

Ric
You might look at www.starten.com I haven't tried it yet but looks like it could be good stuff. On another note need to get with you on the controls for Mike. Not enough hours in a day. LOL B

[ricphoto]

Thanks all...I'll check those out...

The wax paper sounds interesting...I'm sure my driveway would appreciate that...

Barry...in and out all weekend...give me a ring and we'll set something up

...Ric

[Marty Loken (Norseboater)]

Ric -

Lon lives in Peshastin (between Leavenworth and Cashmere), and his business focuses on restoration of street rods, hot rods and classic cars. You can reach him via e-mail: lonr@genext.net

- Marty

[ricphoto]

Thank you Sir...

...Ric