bottom paint removal

capt steve

Member
May 23, 2017
144
north nj
Boat Info
95 330 da no genny
Engines
7.4 merc v-drive
my 330 is painted all the way up to the bow under the spray rail. ideally I would like to keep the waterline parallel with the water the whole length as I think it makes the boat look so much better. is there a way to strip antifouling to get back to the original gelcoat color? or once painted will I always have the ghosting of the blue paint which I suspect will happen.
 
my 330 is painted all the way up to the bow under the spray rail. ideally I would like to keep the waterline parallel with the water the whole length as I think it makes the boat look so much better. is there a way to strip antifouling to get back to the original gelcoat color? or once painted will I always have the ghosting of the blue paint which I suspect will happen.

You can sand/blast it off and get it back to the gel but it's a long/big/messy process. I have done it a few times. If I am understanding you correctly though, you are just wanting to lower the paint line closer to the waterline? That is a much easier/less time intensive process if you are talking about a small area (i.e. lowering line a few inches).
 
yes, just up at the bow where the spray rail comes up. I know im due for a media blast , but other priorities this season. however , my boot striping is past it , and I have the replacement to go on this spring , but wanted to see if I could just get that forward area. I didn't want to carry the stripe up the curve of the rail , but just end it at the outside upturn.. if you know what I mean
is there a good chemical stripper or something? just wondering if even after stipping , if I can ever really get the blue out...
 
If you boat in any, what we call tannic water, you will be happy to have that bottom paint raised at the bow. Otherwise you will have staining of the hull in that area. Cocktail speed cruising puts a lot of water in that area.
 
If you want to strip your bottom paint without damaging the gelcoat Google "Farrow Blasting". Much better than sand or soda blasting.
 
You can use a chemical stripper like Peel Away, its messy but it doesn't abrade the gel coat.
 

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