Paint remover?

[siberianhusky]

Darins idea is exactly what I was going to recommend, I use citristrip to remove graffitti and paint from brickwork for restoration. Done a whole 3 story store front with that stuff, brushed it on let it sit a few hours and power washed it off, peeled everything off down to the brick.
Doesn't burn the skin either, although I would still use protection.
Swish also has a good "green" stripper but citristrip seems to work better.

[Basstronics]

What will it do the the gelcoat? Fiberglass?

The brake fluid is still working. Taking its sweet time. I think the clear coat is causing the trouble. I used the "crystal clear acrylic" clear coat.

The goo gone has seemed to put a dent in it. Will know more tonight.

[siberianhusky]

doesn't seem to harm plastic, I'd do a small test on something first though. I used some Circa 1870 stripper on an epoxy coated wood hull, that stuff was toxic! A splash would start to sting you skin in a few seconds. It left the epoxy alone, It peeled the paint off in seconds, I'd never use it again, too nasty.
The citristrip is a gel almost that stays wet for a long time, not supposed to even harm plants. You can get it at most hardware stores.
Swish low toxicity paint stripper/grafitti remover INDO 205, says right on the jug safe for fiberglass, but may attack certain plastics, non- acetic, non-caustic.
Don't have any citristrip to check right now. I can get the swish in 5 gallon pails, much better if you have an entire building to strip!

[Darin Jordan]

What will it do the the gelcoat? Fiberglass?

I've used it on wood, ABS, and fiberglass, and it works well on all of them.

[Karfrik]

I've had really good luck using this:

http://www.citristrip.com/

Darin,which one you use: Gel,Spray or Liquid? ....i may say gel,right?....thanks..Al

[Basstronics]

Gonna stop by the wal mart to pick some up.

Brake fluid isnt touching it.

[FE Wannabe]

I happend to pick up some of the Aerosol Spray Citristrip this morning at Home Depot for $8.47.
I will try it when I get home from work and let you guys know the results.

The directions suggest waiting for 30 minutes before trying to remove the paint, however I have heard some people say they could see the paint bubbling after 5 minutes.

I haven't tried anything else to strip the paint off my hull so this will be a first attempt at removing an unknown spray paint type. I am still hoping to find an nice German gelcoat beneath it all.

[FE Wannabe]

works good

Well, I am glad to inform you that the aerosol spray version of the Citristrip works great and quick too. The paint started bubbling up after less than 5 minutes and the paint just wiped of the gelcoat.
Here are the before, during and after pics.

It appears the gel coat is in good shape in the small area that I tested the paint remover on, so I am very happy so far.

[Krowbar69]

How was the paint underneath? Also where do you run boats Wannabe?? Im just south of you in San Diego..

[Darin Jordan]

Once the initial stripping is complete, I'll used scotchbrite pads and spray on a little more, then go over it with the pads to pick up any residual paint. Then I wash everything very well with hot soapy water. Seems to work well.

[Flying Scotsman]

Sandpaper, in my opinion.
I have used a chemical remover once and never again, it may soften some materials.

Douggie

[Darin Jordan]

Sandpaper, in my opinion.
I have used a chemical remover once and never again, it may soften some materials.

Douggie

To each their own, but this stuff (Citristrip) works great...

[FE Wannabe]

How was the paint underneath? Also where do you run boats Wannabe?? Im just south of you in San Diego..

The paint I removed was on top of a gel coat. The Citristrip removed what appeared to be 2 coats of spray paint right down to the gel coat, apparently without harming the gel coat.

The gel coat was a little dull (not shiny), but I was assuming it had been roughed up with sandpaper before the last owner painted it.

We run at a couple of different places in Orange County and Los Angeles. In Orange County we meet at Joe's house (Questek on OSE) in Lake Forest. He has an awesome place right on one of the Lake Forest lakes.
In LA county we run at Legg Lake in South El Monte, which is a NAMBA approved lake, where you need a NAMBA membership to run.
If you are available, you should make plans to come up to Legg Lake on Oct. 23-24 for the SAW event. You will see the fastest of the fast running nitro, gas and electric there. Some doing 100mph+!

Brad

[Basstronics]

I seen the Aerosol stuff for like $6.50. I opted for the brush on stuff, $11 for the jug.

One coat off it took of 98% of the paint. Im talking 7 layers of clear, 6 layers of color, 2 layers of primer, 3 layers of another color and 2 layers of another primer.

Like I said it had to much paint on it.

After it is stripped Im going to use the spray Truck & Van brand rattle cans. That stuff always seems to work good.