Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Strip or sand

Keith Steele 40 year old boat, well maintained, several sanding and repainting projects over the years. Always used Exterior porch paint. So my question is, at what point do you strip down to the wood then prime and repaint? Use a stripper or just sand and paint? If a stripper what works best? Ray and Sigh at Rays River dories replaced the shoe (bottom) several years ago, got tired of gluvit. I am a winter and spring fly fisherman, too old for a summer drifter so paint remains my preference. Share your wisdom..... please:)

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Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on October 1, 2019 at 6:56am

Is the paint still bonded to the wood? If so, it would seem that roughing up the paint enough to provide a somewhat fresh and abraded surface would allow new paint to stick. Once you start sanding you can spend lots of money, time, and effort to achieve some form of perfection. Don't ask me how I know.

If the task at hand is to protect the wood underneath with a fresh coat of paint before winter sets in do enough to bond the new paint. Just my two cents, take the advice for what you paid for it!

Rick Newman

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Permalink Reply by Charles S Lilley on October 2, 2019 at 9:19pm

Rick, the paint has always been well bonded, a little checking over the years. I have always just sanded and sprayed with porch paint. Wondering just when do you strip down to the wood. I use the boat between 15- 20 days a year, store in a warm and dry garage. Regretfully I suffer from a type A personality and just curiously as to when one should strip it down to the wood or rough it up and paint. At present just started sanding the hull.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn Baker on October 25, 2019 at 3:05pm

Hi Charles,

I agree with Rick. If the paint is still bonded to the wood, I don't see any reason to sand through that bond and try to build a new bond. If you're Type A and desire perfection, this is still an opportunity to move in that direction.

I'm fully Type B, but I am also one who loves a beautifully finished boat. Don't sand it just to sand it, but do sand through a lot of the old paint and use it to fair the boat. Layers of paint will have filled low areas and you can sand off the high spots. Stop when you generally get to the original paint/primer and fill any remaining low spots.

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Permalink Reply by Charles S Lilley on October 25, 2019 at 4:49pm

Exactly what I am doing. The old Helfrich pea green remains the same color so it’s difficult to ascertain which is which. I will continue to sand then fill as needed. Thank you for the feedback. I was a little concerned as to how much to sand and if all the original paint required removal at some point.
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