Question of the Day #5 - removing paint from from cabin front

[Spartan]

Seems the previous two owners of my CP16 have painted the boat name on the front of the cabin.  "second wind" cover up by Yellow backround with black Joy.
I was told the yellow is interior house paint and the back is the bottom paint. 
The boat is too pretty for this so my intent is to remove it.  Suggestions on how best to do so?
Sand? I am concerned about a chemical stripper causing other issues.
What is the likelihood I'll be able to get back to original or am I facing a deck repaint?


Thanks All.
Tom

[skip1930]

Yea, I was wondering about that yellow/name business my self.
Find somewhere on the boat, kind of out of site, and experiment with a stripper.
Sanding will take forever and you'll end up with dull, because of scratching, gel coat.

Then this surface Will need to be worked back to smooth and shiny with copious amounts of
labor and Mequire's #9 polishing compound. Either by buffer or by hand. Too much work.
Even dulls if washing with 'Soft and Scrub' and that requires a polishing afterwards.

I'd strip it. Either chemically or with a waterbase stripper. Brush it on thick come back hours later and towel it off.
Keep going till nothing is left to towel off. Do not use a putty knife to scrap off. Once your pretty much done,
drag her down to a car wash, spend $10 and pressure wash the offending area and the whole boat.

Google 'paint stripping for or on fiberglass' for product suggestions.

skip.

[Spartan]

And what's worse, and can't been seen in the picture is a waterline boot stripe in yellow that was done by hand freeform and is very wavy.  So I should be able to test down there.  I did see on the site the measurements where the boot stripe should be, so that may be a next year haul out fall project.

For general cleaning I have used SOS/brillo pads on other fiberglass boats followed with a wax and buff.  Any reason not to approach in this manner?  (ok Question of the day 5a)

[skip1930]

Too late now, but "SOS/brillo pads on other fiberglass" is a bit abrasive in my opinion. As is Soft Scrub. And that's why the buffing was necessary? Were not cleaning frit or porcelain here.
I just use Mequires #9 hand rub and three coats of Mother's wax.

skip.

[Bob23]

Tom:
   In my humble opinion, which usually is correct I humbly state, don't use brillo or any steel wool on the boat. It can lead to little, stubborn rust stains. Plus, as Skip states, it is a bit harsh. A friend of mine used a product called "Peel Away" or something similairly corny at Home Depot to remove multiple coats of bottom paint on his old Morgan 30. He said it worked great, a being associated with me, I have no reason to think he's lying.
   Tom: Maybe no one told you, but there is a 5 free question limit for any 30  day period here at the site. Additional questions require an up front payment to me, in cash, of $1000.00 each. There is no guarantee of helpful or even correct answers. In the event you cannot pay in cash, cold beer, and offers to wax other members boats in lieu of cash may be accepted. Just trying to keep you informed!
bob23

[Spartan]

Thanks Bob23,

the I guess I won't ask today if one had to choose between an Idasailor foiled rudder blade or a Genoa which one should be invested in first.

Thanks

[skip1930]

Buy the rudder first.
You can always buy an oversized rag later.

skip.

[Salty19]

Yeah, I wouldn't use a brillo either. Too abrasive and rust prone.

Since this is a small area, you could definitely make on the cheap do with wetsanding it off.  Start with 600 or 800 grit on a flexible rubber sanding block with lots of soapy water until it's gone, then use 1000, 1500, then 2000 grit to level off the surface, then compound, polish and wax ( I like 3M compound, 3M FinesseIt II polish and Collonite Fleet wax).  It will look brand new when done.  The wax I listed lasts well over one season..good stuff.

Speaking of wetsanding, I did the routine above to the entire hull (above waterline/below rail).  Took the oxidation off and made it sparkle like brand new.  Check out the photoalbum in my signature for pics.  Took a lot of time and effort but the results are fantastic.

[Bob23]

Tom:
   I'd go with the rudder. On my 23, even my home made wood foiled blade vastly increased the performance in the way of higher pointing, a bit more speed, and much easier tacking.
   That one's on the house! Thanks for all your questions... I look forward to many more! Hey- I smell retirement!!!!!
bob23

[Spartan]

Retirement,  not me just late forty something with three kids commingled up on college age

[Bob23]

No, I didn't mean I was planning to. But at a thousand clams a pop, and at the rate of your questions, I should have enough by June. Thanks, man...you are a-ok in my book. My check book, that is! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My retirement will come about  10 seconds after my last breath. Can't wait. Till then, I sail!
bob23