need suggestions for bottom paint removal

[chuck yahrling]

I recently purchased a 1982 CD27 #243 which needs a little fixup of some small bubbles and cracked spots in the keel gelcoat. I've ground out the damaged areas and am letting the exposed laminate dry over the winter, as recommended.

Now I'm considering stripping all the bottom paint, as it's getting pretty thick anyway and it might be a good idea to take a good look for hidden cracks per the above. I think the bottom paint is Pettit Trinidad. Anybody have suggestions for the best way to get the old stuff off without hurting the gel-coat too much?


TIA



yahrling@cybertours.com

[Craig Soucy]

I recently purchased a 1982 CD27 #243 which needs a little fixup of some small bubbles and cracked spots in the keel gelcoat. I've ground out the damaged areas and am letting the exposed laminate dry over the winter, as recommended.

Now I'm considering stripping all the bottom paint, as it's getting pretty thick anyway and it might be a good idea to take a good look for hidden cracks per the above. I think the bottom paint is Pettit Trinidad. Anybody have suggestions for the best way to get the old stuff off without hurting the gel-coat too much?


TIA

[Ron Russell]

This past year I removed all the bottom paint on my 1976 CD 25 using a Black & Decker finishing sander with sandpaper ranging from 60 to 100 grit. I can tell you that while this method worked great for taking off the paint without damaging the gelcoat it is a very labor intensive job. As this was the first time I removed all the bottom paint since I've owned this boat, I was able to see kind of the history of repairs made to the bottom over the years by previous owner(s). There had been some rather extensive gelcoat repair around the bottom aft end of the keel at the bottom of the rudder post that I was able to inspect closely. Also I found several blister "patches" that I felt were not done properly. These I ground out and epoxied and faired to my satisfaction. After I had removed the bottom paint and made needed repairs, I then applied the Interlux Interprotect Barrier Coat System topped off with 3 coats of Trinidad. Overall I was very pleased with the results. You will need to check with your boatyard as to whether they allow bottom sanding in your area. I was lucky to be in a yard that allowed it. Good luck.

Ron Russell
CD 25 Hull #389
Incommunicado



ronrussell@mindspring.com