bottom paint

[DAVIDLOFLAND]

Did he suggest switching blast media? Different media is used for different surfaces and coatings and thicknesses. Instant Fun had at least 20 years of anti-fouling buildup so silica was used and it worked well.

[adrewoh]

He's checking around--obviously doesn't want to damage the gel coat. He mentioned walnut shells & corn, but I'll ask him about silica.

[DAVIDLOFLAND]

Silica is aggressive, but if that's what it takes, that's what it takes. You're gonna have a renewed barrier coat anyway. These images are silica blasting with the nozzle 3 to 4 feet from the surface.

[adrewoh]

He's trying walnut shells tomorrow. ..fingers crossed!

[K4282]

those pictures of blasting and the 2x4 stands are pretty sketchy looking

[gitchisum]

those pictures of blasting and the 2x4 stands are pretty sketchy looking

LOL, you need to spend more time in Alaska!!!! That looks pretty good by what I have witnessed

[DAVIDLOFLAND]

those pictures of blasting and the 2x4 stands are pretty sketchy looking

LOL, you need to spend more time in Alaska!!!! That looks pretty good by what I have witnessed

The commercial boat yards in Alaska have hundreds of boats blocked this way every winter. The 2x4 boxes may look funky, but they never fail.

[yorklyn]

adrewoh,
just read this thread. take it from someone who used a chemical stripper, blasting is the way to go!
if the baking soda isnt cutting quick enough he should be able to use a more abrasive media to get the majority of the buildup paint off and then switch back to baking soda to finish it off.
once your rid of the paint make sure you inspect any old blister repairs or any repairs for that matter. I had a handful of old blister repairs that were done by a previous owner. it looked like they had used a polyester repair material that had shrunk some. i was able to "pop" a few of these old repairs off with a putthy knife. I decided to remove all of the old repairs with a 5 inch DA sander and 36 grit paper held on an angle. I used thickened west system epoxy to properly make the repairs.

after I saw the amount of effort it took to get mine back to clean fiberglass , I did not let that opportunity go to waste. I applied 5 or six coats (will have to check my notes to be sure) of inter protect barrier coat . It was surprisingly easy to do with 2 people. I used alternating coats of grey then white etc to assure good coverage. it rolls on very nice. I can tell you each 1 gallon kit made it from the stern to within 3 to 4 foot from the bow on my 33ft 10 meter .
Best of luck with the project!

[Big D]

Been reading this and am a little surprised at how much folks are mentioning silica. I thought most duristictions had banned it as a blasting medium......no?

[adrewoh]

Finally came down and used walnut shell--worked great! excited to get on the barrier & bottom...c'mon spring!!!!

[DAVIDLOFLAND]

Congratulations. The Forum came through again.

[bad440cuda]

anyone know who blasts around essex md middle river area? and what is the best paint for salt water

[comodave]

If soda did not work, then they probably need to use a more agressive media such as the walnuts or even sand. If it is that thick, you will probably never be able to do a stripping yourself. Is there anyone else that you could take the boat to?

[adrewoh]

He got it done with a different medium--I posted before that it was walnut shells, but I "lied", it was recycled beer bottles (perfect!)

It worked great!! I took the advice of the forum and did 3 coats of barrier paint doing 1st gray, 2nd white & 3rd gray so you make sure each is covered well--impressed some of the guys at the club that usually give me advise--Thanks again forum 2 coats of bottom paint--looks as good as a new boat! 5 coats of paint was a s-load of work

I also lowered the bottom paint to a few inches above the water line--gained about 10" of fiberglass. I could have done a better job on the paint match and smoothing the fiberglass there, but wanted to get in the water--I'll do a little more this fall and next spring, but really happy with it!!