Removing Bottom Paint

[justgotaboat]

My boat came with some less than perfect bottom paint. My boat now lives on a trailer, and I like the way a boat looks without bottom paint. Is there anyway to remove the old bottom paint in order to bring back the gelcoat on the bottom? Or will the gelcoat have been roughed up in order to make the paint stick? What is the easiest way to remove the bottom paint? And, is there any adverse affects of having bottom paint and removing it. Or not having any bottom paint at all if the boat lives on a trailer?

 

[Audrey II]

Only two ways I know are sanding and blasting either sand or usually soda blasting is whats done today. Both are done to prep for new paint I don't think you can stripe and not replace, However you can replace with white bottom paint which would give you a similar look. If money is a concern get compatible paint and paint rough sand and paint on top.

 

[absolute]

After removing the bottom paint, wet sand the gel coat with 800 then with 1800 grit wet or dry sand paper. You will soon have a smoooooth bottom......

Absolute,

Suckin Sludge & Havin a Gas

 

[Audrey II]

wont the striping process damage the gell coat? even if there are no blisters.