removing bottom paint

[boatman37]

Whoever did the bottom paint on my boat got some on the SS support struts and trim tabs. Whats the best way to get it off? Tried a wire wheel on the drill but not much luck and didn't want to mar up the SS so didn't push it. Tried a little acetone but no luck there either.

Ideas?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Wasn't there a recent post about this? I thought it was you that asked it? Anyways - get paint stripper from Home depot.

 

[boatman37]

Yeah but that was for the trim tabs. A little easier to get it off of there I think. Planning to use diluted muratic acid on those. Might work on the struts too. It's on pretty thick just on the end where the tab is bent with the mounting hole in it. Hard to get in there with a scotch brite pad.

 

[fwebster]

You can either mechanically remove the bottom paint by sanding or using a chemical paint stripper. Either is a labor intensive process and there are no short cuts.......sandpaper leaves a dull or scratched surface, acetone might work but it will evaporate before it softens the paint enough to remove it.

If there is a trick to speed the process it might be to cover the chemical paint stripper with plastic film to keep the paint stripper from drying out before it softens the paint.

 

[boatman37]

Thanks. and just looking to remove it from the platform struts, not the hull. whoever did it did a pretty sloppy job so i'm trying to clean it up a little...lol

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK. Just use the paint stripper - it works really well and a medium bristle brush (even a toothbrush) will help in the nooks and crannies. As Frank mentioned, especially if it's sunny, covering the stripper will help, if needed. Just slop it on with a cheap, chip brush.

 

[boatman37]

will do. Thanks guys!

 

[dvx216]

MEK or Acetone might remove it.