Someone vandalised my 228

[dobson_c]

I'm very sad to say, that after much effort to find a 228 in North Carolina, have it surveyed, modify for shipping, ship along the Atlantic and across the pacific, import and finally have delivered to my house in Sydney, some 'bleep' 'bleep' 'bleep' spray painted the starboard side of my hull. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Can anyone recommend a good way of getting this off completely? I have scrubbed the paint with one of those green kitchen scourers, then rubbed with acetone, rinsed thoroughly and finally polished with 3m fiberglass repairer (for lightly oxidised surfaces). Most of the paint has come off, but you can still just see the paint in the gelcoat.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Capt Bill]

Sorry that some low-life with no life did that to your boat. Now to get her cleaned up. Years ago, when I bought a boat with the name painted in big lettering, on both sides of the hull, I asked around on how to remove it. Some suggested oven cleaner, but I was too timid to try it. I ended up using acetone, and then rubbing compound (by hand), on just the paint. I was careful not to go through the paint into the gelcoat. It took a long time, but came completely off with no trace that it was ever there.

Someone else here might have a better (quicker) way, or talk to some people at fiberglass shops. And good luck with her.

 

[HMBJack]

I hate hearing stories like this but I guess it could be worse.

Depending on the location of the damaged area - maybe that's a spot for you to have a Painter stencil the name of your boat there. Otherwise - call around and you'll get some ideas. Since your boat is insured, maybe talk to your insurance agent and hire out the work, whatever it is, and this way you're only looking at absorbing the deductible to have it professionally fixed.

 

[seasick]

I'm very sad to say, that after much effort to find a 228 in North Carolina, have it surveyed, modify for shipping, ship along the Atlantic and across the pacific, import and finally have delivered to my house in Sydney, some 'bleep' 'bleep' 'bleep' spray painted the starboard side of my hull. :evil: :evil: :evil:

Can anyone recommend a good way of getting this off completely? I have scrubbed the paint with one of those green kitchen scourers, then rubbed with acetone, rinsed thoroughly and finally polished with 3m fiberglass repairer (for lightly oxidised surfaces). Most of the paint has come off, but you can still just see the paint in the gelcoat.

Any help would be appreciated.

You are probably going to need to power buff with a more agressive compound. I think the paint will come off assuming the gel coat was not completed weathered.

 

[jekyl]

Really sorry to hear that Chris. Sounds like you have some good advice there and the forum is doing what it does very well.

Love to hear how you like the boat once you get her splashed.

 

[CJBROWN]

:evil: Bastards.

It's an easy fix - wet sand with 1000 grit to remove the paint, then polish with a wool or foam wheel with 3M Imperial Finishing Compound. Follow up with a polymer sealant, and then wax. You won't be able to tell.

Use a foam or rubber sanding block, use a back-and-forth action, not circular. The gel coat is really thick, you won't go thru with 1000 grit. And it's fine enough that it will buff out with a good cutting compound. I just love that 3M stuff, best I've ever used.

We just did KINGJ's boat this last weekend - it's 9 years old and was getting quite oxidized and scratched. A couple of really bad areas got sanded out, then an overall polish. Looks like a new boat again. Took about 3 hours.

If you're not experienced with a polishing wheel, check with a few auto detailers or body shops, they'll be able to do it for you.

 

[dobson_c]

Thanks guys. I'll take the advice and rub away my frustrations and annoyances into a beautiful shiny hull.

I have moved the boat to a local marina, its behind a locked gate, barbed wire and 30 minute roaming patrols. haha, I love the 228 too much!

Haydn, she rides amazingly, better than I anticpated to be honest. The 200hp HPDI is a cracker too. Quiet, powerful and not too thirsty - ticks over first time and hums away all day. In the harbour I've had her up to the low 40's, so for a big boat with 200hp, its pretty impressive.