Removing rock guard from aluminum boat

[Canuck73]

Hello,

Just bought a 14 foot Lund and the previous owner sprayed the bottom of the boat with some sort of rock guard...

What is my best course of action to remove this without damaging the original finish?

And if I have to put something on after I remove the rock guard?

I have seen pictures of the boats new and they have a foot of red paint and the bottom is unpainted aluminum.

Any advice would be appreciated

Michael

 

[fhhuber]

First is to identify what he applied to the boat.

 

[Canuck73]

They were not sure... some sore of spray on rubber/foam compound, mostly wearing odd now.

 

[82rude]

Is it spray on bedliner?Thats very hard to remove.You could try an angle grinder with a wire wheel.It was most likely put on to stop leaks.If its a softer material than bedliner which is very hard and course try a strong stripper (chemical).

 

[jbcurt00]

Avoid using a wire wheel on an aluminum hull. Many do more damage then you'd think....

Even poorly applied, peeling in places, DIY 'low cost' bedliner is a complete PITA to remove..... Ask me how I know.... uke:

Pix would certainly help.

May have been leak prevention or rough duty (stump/rock knocking) protection.

 

[82rude]

No issues with my wire wheel on my boat other than the crap was like armor plating,what a pain.Actually gave up and just did the rivets with 80 grit sandpaper.But your correct wire wheels are not for the inexperienced.I have a healthy fear of grinders after an incident so i didnt take much for me to quit if truth be told.Hope for the op,s sake its rock guard .

 

[Canuck73]

Thanks for the advice! It does not appear to be the rock guard I have seen on trucks, not hard and shiny, maybe its worn off? seems really foamy and rough, I'll try to upload some pictures. I'm going to try removing it with my air sander... maybe try a stripper if that is not enough.