Best way to remove many years of paint from my boat roof?

[Polarbear]

As per the title.

For some reason the paint on the roof of my narrowboat is starting to break up badly. The top coat is flaking (bad preparation by a previous owner I suspect but it is also coming off in large deep chunks in places.

https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f261/WhiteFurryBear/Roof%201.jpg

https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f261/WhiteFurryBear/Roof%202.jpg

What's the best mechanical way to strip this back to bare metal for painting between the the side rails. I can't use nitromoors incase it gets in the canal. I only have a small generator (about 1000W).

I'm willing to buy the right machine (mains or batter)y if it will do the job relatively easily but at the moment all I can think of is a battery angle grinder and wire brush.

Many thanks in advance
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ste]

Boat yard here has got a machine for stripping paint from the roof which takes about half a day.

Other than that you'll be doing it manually.

[331X2]

Some of these;

https://cdn.toolstation.com/images/141020-UK/800/21989.jpg

On a 115mm angry grinder (~750w, blue Bosch ones are around 35 ponds and I've always had good luck with them) will run off your genny. It will be a slow job but short of getting a sand blasting setup I think you'll be fairly limited.

[dydey90]

Golly that's a lot of paint.

Careful with the buffing cups. I once used one on a full speed grinder (18,000rpm?) and when I was finished my overalls looked like a hairbrush.

I wonder if repeated doses of terps followed by a stiff yard brush would lift the worst of it?
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[stinkwheel]

[M.C]

Did you manage to overtake him?

[MCN]

Hire a Hydroblaster and wash it off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmk4fxl7eL4
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Polarbear]

[charlie74]

might sound odd, but a decking scrubbing brush will get rid of most of the flaky stuff easily and quite quickly.

you could contact the waterboard and ask their view on "sand" blasting it, but using organic/bio degradable or inert grits, such as glass or walnut/almond shell

you could also ask them about what paint stripper they use?, and if a biodegradable one is ok, ( can soak in rags and work a patch at a time)

failing that there is always a weed burner/blow torch and a floor scraper

either way good luck and don't fall in, that's gonna take some elbow grease

[Alpineandy]

I haven't used these but I've heard good things about them...
https://www.frost.co.uk/car-autobody-blasting-soda-blaster/wire-brushes-auto-grinding-discs/shaft-mounted-strip-disc.html
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Robby]

Pressure washer first to strip off the loose stuff, bonus is that you can do the job standing up. Then follow up with wire brush on an angle grinder.

Only go down to a belt sander if you need to for the last stage, if there's a lot to remove you'll just clog the belt.

You would probably want to go it in stages - split it into 4 sections, finish one then give it a coating of etch primer.

[Polarbear]

Thanks for the ideas. Pressure washer first to see what comes off and take it from there.

I already have a 4.5" angle grinder and wire brush. Will check the wattage and see if it will kill my generator or not.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[BTTD]

I had to some 100+ year old skirting board with many layers of paint to strip. Hot air gun worked best, although you won't be able to run one on your gen. A blow torch should work, although I'd opt for a large gas bottle with a machine mart hose and burner head. You have gas on the boat?
I used a 4" grinder with a twist wire head on a small trailer chassis. It took quite a while and was quite hard work. That roof is massive by comparison.

[BTTD]

I had some 100+ year old skirting board with many layers of paint to strip. Hot air gun worked best, although you won't be able to run one on your gen. A blow torch should work, although I'd opt for a large gas bottle with a machine mart hose and burner head. You have gas on the boat?
I used a 4" grinder with a twist wire head on a small trailer chassis. It took quite a while and was quite hard work. That roof is massive by comparison.

[MCN]

[Nope.]

If you're looking for a chemical way to do it without using crappy organic paint stripper then you can buy proper Dichloromethane solvent from here:

https://darrantchemicals.co.uk/dichloromethane

It'll lift pretty much any paint off, but be warned it'll also melt some types of plastics. It's not the nicest stuff in the world but it definitely works!
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Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Pete.]

[andyscooter]

[Nope.]

[MCN]

[techathy]

Surely the force being resisted by the operator will be defined by mass of water being ejected by the pressure gun. While related to operating pressure it won't be entirely defined by it.

[andyscooter]

Been talking to a bloke I know
He is a boat painter by trade

Proper way is dry dock and shot blasting apparently

He says orbital sander would work but don't get caught dropping paint in the canalas it could result in a massive fine
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[Azonicben]

https://www.brandontoolhire.co.uk/en/surface-preparation-tool-hire/143-rotary-scabbler.html
Painter occasionally hires one at our marina.
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Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[The Wobbly Orange]

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