Stripping and re-painting a boat

[80mac]

I purchased the Phil Thomas hydro that Tony had for sale earlier this year and Tom and Terry helped me out a lot at the pond getting it dialed in (thanks again guys) so that I could drive it. I want to re-paint it and get it ready to join and race a full season with MMEU which leads to my question. First, what would be the best product to use to strip off the existing paint? Second, what is a good brand / type of paint to use?

Thanks, Bill Kozfkay

[Luck as a Constant]

What kind of paint is there? Do you have compressor and spraygun?


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[80mac]

I am not sure of the paint type but it is cracking. I do have a compressor and getting a spray gun won't be a problem.

[Luck as a Constant]

Well, any quality automotive paint will do.
I don't find any better than others really.
Find your local auto body supplier, and buy what they sell.
As far as stripping I isually just sand stuff down. So I can't recommend stripper


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[SirBudman32]

I've used this on 2 different boats I've painted, 1 was wood and 1 was fiberglass. Did a great job on both. The wooden boat had 3 coats of paint and sealer on it, took it right off.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Citristrip-Stripping-Gel-1qt/17209362

[ray schrauwen]

I tried a similar stripper on my PTSS but, didn't work so great or I didn't know what I was doing? I have mine painted with epoxy primer and Tamiya TS synthetic lacquer.

Any help would be nice.

[longballlumber]

I purchased the Phil Thomas hydro that Tony had for sale earlier this year and Tom and Terry helped me out a lot at the pond getting it dialed in (thanks again guys) so that I could drive it. I want to re-paint it and get it ready to join and race a full season with MMEU which leads to my question. First, what would be the best product to use to strip off the existing paint? Second, what is a good brand / type of paint to use?

Thanks, Bill Kozfkay

Hi Bill,

You have a nice boat under that cracked paint, but it's going to take a little work/time to get it fixed up.

You can try and use the Citristrip brand striping Gel, but be VERY CAREFUL! If a close eye isn't kept on the gel and removed in a timely manner it will try and soften the epoxy. Otherwise your going to be stuck using sand paper to removed the unwanted paint. I realize sanding can be very time consuming, but it's the SAFE way to get the paint removed without harming the hull.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Citristrip-1-qt-Safer-Paint-and-Varnish-Stripping-Gel-QCG73801T/100208204

Regarding Paint, I have used the Klass Kote brand of 2 part epoxy paint. Although this paint requires a HVLP gun and air compressor to apply, it is some of the toughest paint I have ever used. I am very much a painting rookie and if properly prepared the paint lays down very nice. I am not sure where your located, but you can buy this paint at Flight Line Hobby located in Lake Orion, MI. If not you will need to buy directly from Klass Kote. This stuff (Klass Kote) is not even in the same universe when compared to rattle can paints. I've never gotten them (spray cans) to look very nice. It comes down to how much time and effort you want to put into a paint job.

Flight Line Hobby - http://www.flightlinehobby.com/location/
Klass Kote - http://www.klasskote.com/

Later,
Mike

[kfxguy]

I would never use a stripper on fiberglass or carbon fiber. it will likely do what longball says it will. wood...its would be fine. metal, would be ok too.

[longballlumber]

I would never use a stripper on fiberglass or carbon fiber. it will likely do what longball says it will. wood...its would be fine. metal, would be ok too.

It works OK if your using it on a flat easy to get to surfaces that allows you to get the paint AND the remaining stripper as soon as your able. I have used it on a Phil Thomas hull with out damaging the hull, but I was very careful, but sanding the hull was still necessary

Phil's boats are molded using West Systems Epoxy; it's really tough stuff. I WOULD NOT use this stuff on any hull made overseas.

Later,
Mike

[80mac]

I've used this on 2 different boats I've painted, 1 was wood and 1 was fiberglass. Did a great job on both. The wooden boat had 3 coats of paint and sealer on it, took it right off.



http://www.walmart.com/ip/Citristrip...l-1qt/17209362

Thanks for the tip on the Citristrip, I picked some up last night and hopefully I will try it out today.

Hi Bill,

You have a nice boat under that cracked paint, but it's going to take a little work/time to get it fixed up.

You can try and use the Citristrip brand striping Gel, but be VERY CAREFUL! If a close eye isn't kept on the gel and removed in a timely manner it will try and soften the epoxy. Otherwise your going to be stuck using sand paper to removed the unwanted paint. I realize sanding can be very time consuming, but it's the SAFE way to get the paint removed without harming the hull.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Citristrip-1-qt-Safer-Paint-and-Varnish-Stripping-Gel-QCG73801T/100208204

Regarding Paint, I have used the Klass Kote brand of 2 part epoxy paint. Although this paint requires a HVLP gun and air compressor to apply, it is some of the toughest paint I have ever used. I am very much a painting rookie and if properly prepared the paint lays down very nice. I am not sure where your located, but you can buy this paint at Flight Line Hobby located in Lake Orion, MI. If not you will need to buy directly from Klass Kote. This stuff (Klass Kote) is not even in the same universe when compared to rattle can paints. I've never gotten them (spray cans) to look very nice. It comes down to how much time and effort you want to put into a paint job.

Flight Line Hobby - http://www.flightlinehobby.com/location/
Klass Kote - http://www.klasskote.com/

Later,
Mike

Thanks for the information and links Mike. I am in Marine City so Lake Orion is not that far away so I will be going over to Flight Line Hobby and check them out. Your name did come up from more than one person at the pond when I was practicing as the expert for setting up and running a Phil Thomas. I can't wait to start racing this boat this year.

Thanks Again,
Bill

[ray schrauwen]

Thanks for the great info. Does HVLP means High Volume low pressure? When I was at flight line in June after the Nats I bought some Klass Kote and a spray gun they said would work, I just need a moisture trap for my compressor

[longballlumber]

Does HVLP means High Volume low pressure?

Yes

It's also possible to use an airbrush (with a large diameter needle). However, I still think a "touch up" gun will work best for nearly all of our FE sized boats.

Later,
Ball