Bottom Paint Sanding Option

[amanphoto]

I've looked around and have not seen anyone mention this. I have a Porter Cable Drywall sander. It has an 8" sanding disk, dust containing curtain and connects to a vacuum. It has a long handle to do long sweeps across the bottom so I don't have to move as much. Has any one tried or used this?

[bud37]

Looks like it might work, bottom paint is so darn hard though, try it on the transom first....what spins the sanding disc?.......good luck man.

[amanphoto]

There head is on a gimble and moved in all directions. There is a shield that does not spin. Inside the shied there is an 8” spinning sanding disk.

[waybomb]

The flow of air to the vacuum is what spins it.
Had a similar type of thing many many years ago. The head would constantly clog up. I think it is designed for dust, not flakes, but looks interesting - let us know how it works out. If it does, I'll probably buy one!

[RGrew176]

Looking at the day when I will have to redo my bottom paint I think I will hire the job out. I am 68 and feel that is a job for a much younger person. Not sure when my Carver was last bottom painted but it's holding up so far.

[Viper]

Sand off all the paint you have now and use ablative paint, you'll never have to sand again.

[Viper]

Source of the post The flow of air to the vacuum is what spins it.....

There are some units that do that but I'm pretty sure the Porter Cable one uses an electric motor with a cable to spin the disc.

[Midnightsun]

Bottom paint is the worst crap there is when it comes to removal. The resulting dust stains everything in sight, basically a horrible job. Been doing this my self for a couple of decades now using a full throw away suit as protective gear, man I hate this.

A few years back I tried something new, works extremely well with no dust as in nothing at all. The method is to use a hose to wet the surface down and using a rough (burgundy) scotch brite pad either hand held or in a holder like this http://www.entrepotmarinemart.com/en/sc ... -sma95-495 and then sand away. The bottom paint comes off rather easily with no dust whatsoever. Basically a wet sand. May not work as well if you have 14 coats of accumulated paint but still worth a try.

Have not tried as it worked so well by hand but using an orbital sander, water and similar scotch brite pad should work very well several coat removal.

Have also found out that ablative water based products work as well if not better not to mention they dry very quickly, do not smell at all and if you use black it is actually black and not some dark brown which most are. Been using this with fantastic result. https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?na ... id=3992667

[km1125]

Maybe the first question to ask: Why are you sanding it?

If you're trying to remove it all, I would suggest getting it soda-blasted.

If you're just prepping for a new coat, I'd suggest using acetone and a scotchbrite pad.

[bud37]

Totally agree Hans..even a small job creates a big mess...and after all these years doing this to various forms of success, I have realized that depending on where you are in fresh water (and that has a lot to do with it), if you don't have a lot of bottom paint that is causing a problem ,now, I just clean up the water line side areas and put ablative on there.......in reality the boat is only in for a few months a year.It is only the fish that see it ......some boats up here don't put anti foul at all.
If I ever had to do it again, I would hire the guy with the soda or shell blaster...Just my opinion ,mind you...