removing paint from fiberglass

[drfeno]

Hi,

The previous owner of my boat painted the floor of the flybridge with grey paint. this paint is now in bad condition and is peeling and flaking in many areas. I'd like to remove the paint and either repaint or leave it if it comes off well enough (I think I'd end up repainting). My question is: is there a good paint stripper that won't damage the fiberglass underneath? I could just sand and paint over it, but it would certainly leave an uneven surface.

 

[blueflew]

I believe fiberglass/gelcoat is unaffected by most paint strippers, but I would try it in a small hidden area first and see what happens. If the paint stripper works, you can compound and wax the gelcoat and probably get it looking like new.

 

[Chesapeakebayguy]

This is the only one you should use. Some of the ones you buy at the hardware store will damage the gelcote.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=2544

 

[stmbtwle]

Read the labels; some of them will damage fiberglass, some won't. If in doubt keep shopping.

 

[Shadowcruzr]

Oven cleaner. I used it to remove the paint from the inside of a sailboat. Works great. Wear gloves and ventilate well.

 

[drfeno]

Thanks all,

I think I'll give the oven cleaner a try since it would be extremely cheap compared to the interstrip stuff. I'm sure interstrip would work better, but I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Chesapeakebayguy]

Oven cleaner will probably work, just going to take some more time. Plus after the oven cleaner is used there will probably be a yellow stain in the gelcote, not a problem just wipe distilled white vinegar on it should take care of it.