Interstrip 299E Evaporated?

wesramm · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008

Hello,

I have spent approximately 10 hours with a shop vac hooked up to my 5" orbital sander removing MANY old layers from my 1973 Cal. Peel Away turned the anti-fouling paint on the bottom of the boat into butter. WONDERFUL PRODUCT! The problem is, the PEEL AWAY did NOTHING to the paint above the water line. Sanding has revealed at least 5 layers of paint until I get down to what I "think" is the gel coat. Let's just say that if I am a little too aggressive on what I think is gel coat, I get down to brown-colored stuff where I can see the fibers. OOPS!, the layup. Nevermind, I'll recover from those problems.

So, with the advice of my local shop, I bought a small can of Interlux Interstrip299E to help me get through the outer layer of whatever is on the hull.

The directions say to leave the thinner on the boat anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours. After 2 hours, there seemed to be no thinner left, and the epoxy paint on my hull is just as hard as ever.

Now, I have read that leaving the Interstrip on too long will cause problems to the fiberglass underneath. The problem is, there doesn't seem to be any of the remover left, even though I didn't remove any!!

Anyone have any insight on this one?

Thanks,
Wes

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008

Can you post some photos???

wesramm · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008

I won't be able to get pictures up here for a day or so, but I definitely will.

Thanks for your quick response!

sometimes I wonder if restoring an old boat is worth it.... But then I'll probably love this boat more than one I bought in great condition.

Or am I kidding myself?

W