removing bottom paint

[BEETLE]

OK guys here's the deal -
I want to REMOVE the bottom paint on my 23 footer.
After checking numerous spots, have found that the bottom had NOT been sanded prior to paint, rather it appears only an adhesion promoter ?? had been used prior to coating.
Tried "Peel Away" paint remover on two test areas and was not happy with the results (did not "peel away" - had to work it off with metal scraper)

I was thinking of going to a conventional stripper that won't attack gel coat.
My goal is to get the bottom paint soft enough to work most off with a plastic squeegee.
Any suggestions out there ?

[BigFish]

5F5 fiberglass stripper. I used to strip Corvettes with it Beetle, stuff works awesome but is brutally toxic. Use rubber gloves and after letting it sit a few minutes, strip off with a rubber squeegee. Don't want to get any on your skin, naturally. You will be outside when using so ventilation should not be an issue. Check with FishingFreak as it seems he is in the autobody field and will know alot better than I. 5F5 works easily though and does not affect the gel coat.

[Stripa]

Beetle,

I just finished stripping 6 layers from my boat. I start with the Peel Away but that did not work for me either. I used Bix in the orange can from Home Depot $15, it is compatible with fiberglass. Temperature is very important this product. I applied it when it was 50 and it worked some, but I waited until 60 degress and a big difference. I speeded up the process by spraying 2 coats of Bix on, waited 20 minutes, and powerwashed most of the paint off. I then sanded with 80 grit to remove most of the paint, then came behind it iwth 150 grit. Now I am filling in the chips and 2 gouges with gelcoat and am going to sand with 220, 400, 600, then 800 grit. Then compound the entire hull and wax it with Fleet 885 wax. It will look new brand new but it is a boatload of work. I live in Middleboro and have some leftover Bix if you want to try it.

[MakoMike]

Stripa,
How did you contain and dispose of the stuff you took off? That stuff is hazerdous waste!

[BigFish]

Bad idea Stripa, very toxic stuff. BEETLE, try the 5F5, after scraping it off with a rubber squeegee you just scrape the paint into a coffee can, let it dry up in the can and throw away can.

[BEETLE]

We have a harardous waste area here at work if I have any nasty stuff to get rid of.
I am going to Lowes and / or Home Depot after work to get stuff for plan B.
Stripa, I am tring to avoid any agressive scraping or sanding, thanks for the advice and leftover offer.
Thanks all for the advice.

[Billybob]

Something else you can consider is to hydroblast it. I did that to my 23', and it is quick and easy. But, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're gonna paint again because it left an "eggshell" type finish. But my boat was 30 years old and had buildup like you can imagine. I also used sand as a media, but have since heard of guys using soda which eventually dissolves away, and all you do is sweep up the paint chips. It's sooo easy, you just blast away - took 3-4 hours to do mine.
Just a thought.

Bill

[Mr. Sandman]

I was going to use peel away...that stuff is not cheap either...and the gallon only covers 50 sqft.
I may pay the yard to do the bottom...I honestly think guys I know have died from lung cancer from doing boat bottoms. It aint worth it.

[Stripa]

Actually I did contain the waste with plastic sheets and a couple of small kids pools. it was then wet vacuumed and put in a 55 gallon container that I got from a friend who will have it disposed of properly. You all are right about it being nasty stuff, I would never do it again. I think is was as much work to contain the waste as was to strip the hull. I should have included this info in the original post so you all wouldn't think I was an idiot! I surely would have passed this info on to Beetle if he took me up on my offer of the the Bix stripper.