While there are a few different ways to strip old paint off of a boat, there are some things that they all have in common including extensive preparation, lots of physically demanding work, and complications in keeping the mess contained during the process and getting it cleaned up afterward. Of course, stripping a boat is also a unique situation that presents its own difficulties including modifying the paint stripping process to occur at the location of the boat and dealing with irregular shapes and materials.
Let’s look specifically at chemical strippers. These are some of the pitfalls that must be figured out ahead of time and dealt with during and after use.
1. You must wear safety gear including safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and a respirator. Chemical paint strippers contain methylene chloride and NMP (1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone) for starters that are noxious as well as flammable.
2. Some kind of drop cloth or containment system must be put into place to control the stripper and the paint after it has been removed from the boat. This can be completely unrealistic or impossible depending on the size and the location of the boat.
3. The chemicals and the stripped paint must be secured and absorbed by the use of some material like old newspapers so that it can be removed from the site without dripping and contaminating other areas, vehicles, and water sources like lakes, rivers, or streams.
4. Since paint stripper and old paint are considered to be toxic waste, you must have a legal way to dispose of your materials when you are done.
Additionally, you will have to check to see if the stripper you are using will be safe to use on your boat. For example, there are brands of chemical paint strippers that are not safe to use on aluminum, a common hull material for workboats.
There is one way to simplify your marine paint removal process and that is to contact A Noble Sweep Chimney Services. Our dustless blasting paint removal process is portable, safe for any environment, easy to clean up, non-toxic, and cost-effective. Submit your contact information on our website or send us an email today to join our waiting list.