bottom paint removal -best electric vacum sander?

[geesea]

I am about to sand the bottom of my 23 savage inboard. I am looking for any feedback on various electric dustless rotary random orbit sanders that may be used for this application. The paint is very thin, got a quote for soda blasting $1,200!

[MasterBaiter]

Do your sinuses and lungs a favor. If you are going to do it yourself use chemicals. You say thin? Maybe one one those "environmentally friendly" types will work. Blasting will cause gelcoat issues, and no matter which vaccuum sander you use you will be breathing the dust and changing the paper often.
Just my opinion.

[pelican]

Do your sinuses and lungs a favor. If you are going to do it yourself use chemicals. You say thin? Maybe one one those "environmentally friendly" types will work. Blasting will cause gelcoat issues, and no matter which vaccuum sander you use you will be breathing the dust and changing the paper often.
Just my opinion.

false...

i've lost count of the boats i've refinished on the bottoms-all by sand blasting,and,baking soda blasting.gel coat is not damaged,it will have a "profile" on it,but not damaged.if it blows out,there were voids.pressure washing uses way more pressure than sand/soda blasting.
that $1,200 price you got,that's steep,it's usually $30-$35 per foot
i qulote the entire job,blasting,cleaning,finish sanding,and solvent washing,followed by barrier coating,and finishing in micron csc at $100 per ft

[MasterBaiter]

If there is "no damage" to the gelcoat, Why the barrier coating?

Hmmm, maybe not so false?

[pelican]

If there is "no damage" to the gelcoat, Why the barrier coating?

Hmmm, maybe not so false?

gelcoat is polyester based-it's not waterproof,barrier coat,it's epoxy based,it's waterproof...the idea of a barrier coat is just what it states "barrier coat"...ever see a boat's hull with osmotic blisters ? this is water passing through the gel coat...
after blasting,the gel coat is left with a "profile"...i've had boats,a 24 proline for example,the bottom paint was way high-after the blasting process,that area where the bottom paint was,i sanded,followed by wet sanding,and buffing with rubbing compound-the areas were brought back to a shine...

there's alot of misinformation about blasting bottom paint-one gentleman before made the claim "it disturbs the matrix of the fiberglass"...truth is,it's one of the safest,easiest ways to remove antifouling paint...
in the offseason,a few months from now,there's gonna be a few boats at my shop to be blasted and barrier coated,followed by ablative antifouling paint,you're more than welcomed to come and see them...

[pelican]

here's a few pictures of a boat that was done by me...one of many-i believe we're somewhere in the neighborhood of 40-45 boats...

http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/...ting-7722.html

[htillman]

Pelican
I agree, sandblasting done right is good, I have had several Bertrams blasted with sand and all was ok. We usually gained a couple of knots in speed with the cleaning and proper repainting. No experience with soda blasting except on metal (no good) and electrical rotors, (ok).
ET

[McGillicuddy]

$1200 seems kind of proud for a soda blast. Must be using diamonds
Fein is probably the best sander of this type in the industry - actually air driven by the vacuum, I think. Same people that brought us the Multimaster.

But I'm with Tucker on that. Use a stripper, any gel MARINE stripper ($20/gal. or so) will work especially if the paint is thin. Most of the decent "green" strippers are $60 /gal. or more. Do a bit at a time on the shady side or cooler time of day. 3'x3' or so at a time. Paint bubbles up and skim it off with a 3" putty knife. Get the balance with a very fine steel wool and paint thinner or may lacquer thinner if the paint thinner is ineffective.

Soy stripper has excellent reviews but is pricey. I would probably avoid citrus based stuff, at least I've never had great results with it...Methyl chloride, baby... I do a lot of kitchen and bath remodels and haven't sanded a finish off for years, touch up yes, but 23 ft. boat - no way! Wear heavy duty chemical resistant gloves, long pants and sleeves, and safety glasses; and keep the gel off of your skin and eyes (burns like a mother). Use a respirator with organic/solvent filters - about 30 bucks w/filters at home improvement stores.

Good luck.

[geesea]

thanks, I will try the stripper. I was concerned with breathing in all the dust from sanding.Now to just find a stripper that works.

[Islandtrader]

I have used the soy stripper, and for me it worked very well EXCEPT on bottom paint.

The best thing to do is get the smallest amount available and try it first.