paint removal

[bill33]

I have a wooden boat with multiple layers of paint on hull, bottom and topsides. I want to remove it and have been looking for a stripper that won't harm the wood. I have spoken with an old time boatwright who claims that using a wood stripper is a mistake because it will enter and be absorbed by the wood and when it comes time to paint/prime, the primer will bubble up. He claims that the best way is to use a block type electrical sander with 36 or 40 grit paper. Any thought, ideas or comments from those who have experience doing this type of work.

[outofthenorm]

Hi Bill, and welcome. 3 questions for you:

1) How big is the boat?
2) What wood is the planking?
3) What's the construction?

- Norm

[capt jake]

I stripped my 16 footer (multiple layers of paint) with a putty knife and a heat gun. It worked far faster than sanding, without the immense mess of sanding. remember that if the paint is 'old' it may have lead in it, so beware when sanding.

[Lew Barrett]

Sanding it off is the last choice. A heat gun will be the least expensive and least messy, but for some jobs chemical stripping will be more efficient. Try heat first, then go to chemicals. I was informed of Soy Strip on these pages, having used the usual solvent based strippers for many years. I found soy strip to be virtually as effective as the solvent based strippers but without the ugly side effects.
You will need to sand to finish grit no matter which technique you use, but I personally find sanding to be the absolute last resort.

Good sharp scrapers are critical stripping tools, and when coupled with a heat gun, you'll be well equipped for a first pass. But chemical stripping has it's uses and adherents.

[CharlieCobra]

A heat gun works for me. Just remember to go WITH the grain.

[ssor]

Three things I know about paint removing:

1.You can't get it all on the first pass.

2.It takes longer than you expected.

3 You will be pleased when you finish both with the results and the fact that you are finished.

[Bob Cleek]

If you know what you are doing, or can figure it out, the fastest way to remove multiple layers will be a torch and scraper. A heat gun is fine for lightweight stuff, but real men use a torch on thick buildups. Properly employed, you will be able to take it down to bare wood on the first scraper with a sharp scraper.

[gregleeber]

methelyne chloride is the traditional stripper. It, also was the chemical used to take caffeine out of coffee for quite some time. I've used lots of it to strip my first wooden boat. The part about absorbing into the wood is not at all accurate. I wouldn't worry about that.

I think the best advice is to start with the heat gun. I'd wear a very good resperator as your paint is likely to be lead based. Be patient but it would be a good winter project.

Good luck.

[mobjack68]

Hey Bill33, is the boat caulked?? (with rope caulk/filler?) if is is AND you use a chemical stripper, the chemicals will soften the paint/filler that seals the seams AND then the old-timers advice is extremely valid. If plywood? strip is best....Get an aircraft quality stripper, more hostile chemicals to eat thru the polyurethane/epoxy paints on planes....my .02
mobjack68

[emichaels]

I have a wooden boat with multiple layers of paint on hull, bottom and topsides. I want to remove it and have been looking for a stripper that won't harm the wood. I have spoken with an old time boatwright who claims that using a wood stripper is a mistake because it will enter and be absorbed by the wood and when it comes time to paint/prime, the primer will bubble up. He claims that the best way is to use a block type electrical sander with 36 or 40 grit paper. Any thought, ideas or comments from those who have experience doing this type of work.

The old time boatwright is, IMHO, correct. I did this last spring and used a 5" angle grinder with 36 grit discs. Very fast. then take 60 grit disc and go over it by hand to knock the swirls out and go from there. I tented the boat from the sheer down and under and used a fabric body suit from Hamilton marine and googles and a chemical mask. it took about 1-1/2 hours to get to bare wood on a full keeled 21' sailboat. Make sure you have a couple pairs of sealed goggles. They abrasive paint, when wiped off the mask, quickly ruins the mask. Tear offs, like motocross riders wear will be my next set of goggles for this task. This would have reduce the time to about an hour for my boat.

Eric

[Jay Greer]

My favorite chemical stripper is Star 10. This product was developed for stripping paint from commercial airliners. It is extemely fast, efficient, produces little in the way of fumes and takes the pain out of paint removal.
http://www.starten.com/
A job that takes ten hours with a torch or heat gun can be done in two with Star 10.
Jay