Stripping off bottom paint

[MLerner]

I just bought a 93 Donzi 18 whose previous owner, alas, painted the bottom. A large patch of the paint has come off, though, and I can still feel the original gel coat, which I'm hoping means the bottom wasn't sanded. Can anyone recommend a way to take off the rest of the bottom paint without harming the gel coat -- if it's still there?

Also, if it isn't there, is there a way to re-gel coat the bottom?

[Forrest]

Castrol Super-Clean, rubber gloves, big scotch brite pads, and lots of work . . . and that may not get it all short of sanding. Paint remover, including Peel-Away is hard on gel-coat.

[MLerner]

Thanks, Forrest, I'll roll up my sleeves and give it a whirl.

Michael

[marcdups]

MLerner, you may also see if you have a marine shop in your area that use peanut shell to sand blast (peanut blast) should not damage gelcoat, but you will have to fine wet sand and compound afterwards, had my share of bottom jobs, alas no more.
Marc

still giving 16 face lift!good luck