New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Removing paint from GRP
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Removing paint from GRP
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Andymac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Apr 07
Location: Derbyshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 852 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Andymac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Removing paint from GRP
    Posted: 19 Jun 13 at 3:47am
Has anyone got any suggestions for removing paint from gelcoat...

The issue is that a previous owner has painted the textured deck of a Laser with a non-slip paint (exact product not known). If it had been a smooth gelcoat base underneath, then maybe it could have been scraped off in bulk, then wet and dried and polished back to original gelcoat... However how could I go about it whilst preserving the original dimpled gelcoat?

I was thinking some sort of solvent which would lift the paint but leave the gelcoat intact. Would something like Nitromors damage gelcoat?
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 13 at 8:49am
A vague memory that there used to be a Nitromors for plastic, but whether it still exists, I don't know.

Do you know why it was painted in the first place, and whether it was sanded back before the job was done, therefore removing much of the pattern anyway?
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6660 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 13 at 10:20am
I fear most solvents that are going to lift a modern high performance paint are also going to attack a polyester based gel coat. If you knew what paint had been used you could contact the supplier and ask for suggestions, but these things can be suprisingly specific. This is the sort of thing that industrial chemists spend a lot of time over. I used to do a bit of that thirty years ago, but would be hopelessly out of date now even if I could remember specifics.

Sometimes it just isn't possible: I recall when the lab I was in was given a requirement to remove heavy duty nylon coating from delicate cheap aluminium alloy components. Back then we could think of no technology to do it (maybe things are different now). The MD refused to let us send out our spoof report recommending dissolving out the aluminium and reclaiming it...
Back to Top
alstorer View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 02 Aug 07
Location: Cambridge
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 13 at 11:07am
As Jim sort of says,there's a good chance the paint used is actually more chemically resistant than the the underlying polyester- partly because cheap polyester as used to build lasers really isn't that resistant to much.
-_
Al
Back to Top
Neptune View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jun 09
Location: Berkshire United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1314 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Neptune Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Jun 13 at 11:39am
I suspect its more than you want to spend (circa a few hundred pounds), but most good repair workshops will be able to re-spray the gelcoat on the decks and re-apply the grip.
Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
Back to Top
Andymac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Apr 07
Location: Derbyshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 852 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Andymac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 13 at 12:37am
Thanks all,
Pretty much the answers I was expecting.
I think I'll leave it well alone...
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 13 at 10:19am
Far be it from me not to weigh in with the suggestion of a good old blow torch...
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
RS400atC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Dec 08
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3011 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Jun 13 at 11:26am
Chandlers sell special paint strippers for use on GRP.
'Dilunett' is one, not sure of spelling.
Mostly used to take off antifoul.
 
Brake fluid works for some paint on some plastics.....
 
Wet and dry paper is the normal way.
Back to Top
Andymac View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 04 Apr 07
Location: Derbyshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 852 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Andymac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jun 13 at 6:50pm
Originally posted by RS400atC

Chandlers sell special paint strippers for use on GRP.
'Dilunett' is one, not sure of spelling.
Mostly used to take off antifoul.
 
Brake fluid works for some paint on some plastics.....
 
Wet and dry paper is the normal way.

Dilunett, thanks for that;


I think I'll pass on the brake fluid for now.

Yep, wet and dry (after scraping as much off) would have been my preferred method if the gelcoat base was flat, but I need to preserve the textured finish as best as possible.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy