Bottom Paint Sander

[POGE]

What is recommended as a power sander to remove/clean up bottom paint? I have been doing by hand and short of throwing in the towel and having the yard do it; I have got to find a better way to sand.

 

[Sully]

I know sanding is probably best ...
But I just power wash in the fall real good and let it sit all winter
Then power wash in the spring let dry and put a thin coat on and I'm done
Stays smooth looks good :roll:

 

[HOTPURSUIT]

I have used a dewalt 5" orbital sander, you can get them at home depot for about $79.00. it comes in a case and has a small bag to trap some of the dust. They also have a great assortment of sanding discs that just velcro on, it works pretty good, light weight. If you keep your boat at a yard some places will rent out their sander to you. Marinas need to be clean these days and may have a set up that includes a dry vac connected to the sander to trap alot more dust.

 

[fess]

Marine peel-away works, but it's sensitive to temperature, it's an option

 

[DaleH]

Marine peel-away works, but it's sensitive to temperature, it's an option

An expen$ive open at that ..

I'm a fan of the Fall and Spring power washes and I'll scrape it too, using a scraper on a long adjustable pole. A sanding block goes on the end, as does a brush. I find I rarely sand using a power sander.

To me, the percussive effect from power washing 2X per year does the trick, at least when using a good ablative paint anyway.

 

[striperon]

I sanded mine last year using an orbital sander with my shop vac attached to collect the dust. It worked fine. Still a lot of work.

 

[POGE]

Thanks all, never thought to hit with the Pwasher in the spring too. I'll try that first then resort to sanding if needed as I did use ablative type so I got my fingers crossed for the power washer alone.

 

[POGE]

Thanks for suggestions to power wash in Spring too. I use ablative paint making it easier. Today used power washer and was shocked about how much it removed the paint. Just have a electric 1500 psi model really got it off, this should cut sanding easily in half.

 

[dcunniff]

I used to hand sand, some power sand in some spots. Gave it up years ago. Got tired of ingesting it.

As others mentioned, power wash, using ablative paint makes a difference. I also bought at a paint or hardware store years ago a swivel head that mounts on a pole that takes rectangular cut sandpaper. Was a big help reaching in.

I have enough ablative use where a paint scraper, some sanding near the water line, power washing is all it gets for preparation.

 

[Mylo]

Knowbody likes to sand but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. (or pay someone)