Removing bottom paint

[Doug160]

I recently bought a pontoon boat that has been in a slip for the last 10 years and was bottom painted every year. I will be trailering the boat and was wonder what was the best way for a Do-It-Yourselfer to remove the paint from the pontoons?

[GXPWeasel]

You could try A/C condenser coil cleaner. I know that stuff works like magic on cleaning aluminum. I used it on my toons before I polished them. If not that, then you could try using brake fluid. This works surprisingly well. I would soak a rag in the brake fluid, then wipe down the painted area. It should start to work in a couple of passes, but not sure how big of toon you are working on, so this may be expensive.

Good Luck.

[badmoonrising]

Best way is to sandblast...and the cheapest if you already own a capable compressor. Blast media and a basic blaster gun are cheap.

[OlJim]

I would not recommend blasting aluminum with sand. Blasting with sand builds up heat and heat warps aluminum. If you must blast use either soda or walnut shells. Aircraft grade paint stripper available at most auto parts houses will also work.
I would look for a commercial blast dealer as it is not real expensive.

Jim

[dockholiday]

Speaking of sand blasting. If anyone thinks or needs a sandblaster get the pressurized one an not the gravity one. The gravity will work in a very small area. Think I ended up giving my gravity one away. Like BMR said it will give your compressor a work out.
This is the one I have, but sure I did not pay that much years ago.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_517_517
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