Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

[Just-in Time]

Hello, the previous owner spray painted his name in red letters on both sides of the boat and I'd love to be able to remove these, however, I'm not aware of any products that can strip the spray paint without damaging the gelcoat. any ideas?
thanks, Justin
...and yes I already know its bad luck to rename the boat

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

compound....... or wet sanding with progressively finer grades of sand paper with 1500-2000 being for the finish

 

[Just-in Time]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

Thanks, That's what i thought but i was hoping perhaps there was a chemical to aid in the process. owell. gotta' break out the elbow grease

 

[mudson]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

The previous owner of my boat painted the entire thing with house paint..

I have been srubbing and scraping this boat all summer to get it off and I have tried everything to do it.. so far goof off in a spray can and a stiff bristle brush seems to work the best for me and here is how I do it..

spray a small area with goof off and scrub the paint loose spray again and wipe with a shop rag or towel...

If this isnt aggressive enough aircraft paint stripper is some wicked stuff, you can find it in any auto parts store.. and I dont know why it is but the goof-off and the aircraft stripper seem to work better when you use the spray can.

 

[Just-in Time]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

The previous owner of my boat painted the entire thing with house paint..

I have been srubbing and scraping this boat all summer to get it off and I have tried everything to do it.. so far goof off in a spray can and a stiff bristle brush seems to work the best for me and here is how I do it..

spray a small area with goof off and scrub the paint loose spray again and wipe with a shop rag or towel...

If this isnt aggressive enough aircraft paint stripper is some wicked stuff, you can find it in any auto parts store.. and I dont know why it is but the goof-off and the aircraft stripper seem to work better when you use the spray can.

wow that sounds like a job and a half. goodluck. the aircraft stripper doesn't damage the gelcoat? thats good to know

 

[mudson]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

Ive tried everything on my boat. mineral spirits, acetone, lacer thinner, strip ease, citri strip, heat gun, air craft stripper,and goof-off

of all these things I've tried, the only thing that has caused any damage to my boat was the heat gun, it made my gelcoat crack a little bit..

My boat is in bad shape, and my plan is to take the crap paint off and re-paint what needs to be re-painted. If your boat is in great shape and you dont plan on painting I would do very small test spots to make sure you dont do damage.. Im told that gel coat is some super strong stuff, and I have been kicking the crap out of my boat trying to get this house paint off and as far as I can tell no damage to my gel coat. I am no expert on this mind you just passing on what I've done

 

[woosterken]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

try easy-off oven cleaner
i had cartoon figures painted on the glass hood of a semi ,the oven cleaner took it all off and DIDN'T bother the glass.

spray it on let it set for 5-10 minutes wipe off with clean towels,repete if needed.
wax after your done.

woosterken

 

[sasto]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

Yup, Aircraft paint stripper.

 

[dlngr]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

+1 on the Easy Off oven cleaner. And it has to be Easy Off brand,not just a generic oven cleaner. Don't try the paint stripper.Just because it worked on one,doesn't mean it will not do major damage to yours.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

Hello Justin..

Acetone m8... It will not hurt/affect gelcoat... try that first..

Give it a good buffin after you wash it off if it removes it..

If not then sand it down like Bob said .. then buff.. ( dont use strippers .. ).

YD.

 

[sasto]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

+1 on the Easy Off oven cleaner. And it has to be Easy Off brand,not just a generic oven cleaner. Don't try the paint stripper.Just because it worked on one,doesn't mean it will not do major damage to yours.

Experamenting myself. I like the aircraft paint removal made for fiberglass and gel-coat but am willing to try the Easy Off as well. Thanks.

 

[109jb]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

I removed spray can paint from my boat with acetone and paper towels. Came right off. On my boat the entire trim stripe about 6 inches wide and all the way around the boat had been spray painted. Took about an hour to get it all off using acetone and a bunch of paper towels. Didn't affect the gel coat at all.

 

[Just-in Time]

Re: Removing Spray Paint from Gelcoat

Wow thanks to everyone for the great replies! sounds like getting this spray paint off is definitely something that can and will be done. I plan on doing it next weekend
-Justin