need some advice please

[aquarius]

can someone tell me if its possible to use paint stripper on an old fibreglass boat?
Ive tried coarse sandpaper with little results.
Any idea what it would cost to paint a 15ft boat in two pack?
cheers Brent

[Sniper]

Brent, most glass boats have a gel coat on them so best bet is to get in contact with a fibreglass supply company and ask them. Last thing you want to do is damage the glass. As to the cost of two pack, work out how many square meters you got to paint then decide on what 2 pac you want to use as different brands have different coveages.
Hope this helps a bit.
Bill

[aquarius]

Thanks guys but the gel coat has already gone......The previous owner painted it in what looks like house paint.
All im worried about is damage to the old fibreglass......so do you think paint stripper will do the job?
cheers Brent

[Xfactr]

Brent as Sniper suggested do not try and use any form of paint striper as you will damage the gel coat. It is the gel coat which gives you the smooth surface on the fibreglass and the colour is mixed into the gel coat. If you want to respray it, then you can like a car go over the boat with wet and dry but only to take off the surface shine of the gel coat!! to prepare the surface for the respray.
cheers

[Xfactr]

Brent if the gelcoat is gone you must have a very rough and fiberous surface. If still smooth you still have gelcoat left. I would be very carefull with any paint stripper just in case you start some reaction which can happen and the boat could catch fire, very easily done. I'd stick to the wet and dry unless you see someone, or show the boat to someone with fibreglass experience.
Cheers

[elegant_bass]

HI Aquarius never use paint striper on f/class y`ll damage it.

try dry sanding whit 80gr. or 150gr. useing sander than wet

send whit 400gr. apply 2k primer,sand back wet 600gr.

now she`set for paint.

[aquarius]

Thanks for the advice guys...yes the surface is still smooth....looks like a lot of hard sanding install for me.
Don't want to set fire to the boat!
Cheers Brent