About to start a rebuild on a 13 ft Aluminum Vee

[Guest muddy]

Hey Fellas: Will have some pics soon. Two start off questions:

First some mook had put a rug in the boat by putting tons of rug glue right onto the aluminum and then put indoor/outdoor carpet in the boat .Needless to say the carpet is long gone and about 3/4 of the inside of the boat is covered with a pretty thick layer of this glue HOW DO I GET THIS STUFF OFF?

What is the easiset and best way to get paint off the boat. It is a green,Red Devil paint?

Hey Russ: It's the same stuff you have in the picture of your boat, when you first got it, ONLY LOT"S MORE GLUE!!!!!!  Also whats that black paint you have on the lower part of your hull?

[fatmanslim247]

I had tar and bondo on the bottom of my boat b/c the last owner was a lil dumb.  I used a propane torch and some scrappers to get all the gunk off, my dad heated it while me and my brother scrapped, then we used the wire cup brush on the grinder to remove the rest... i need to get more wire brushes so i can finish stripping my boat come think of it

[Zel]

Muddy, I think you're looking at a pretty massive job. If it were me, before starting such a project, I would consider the following.

Is it the size boat I want for the next couple of years?

How much could I get for my current boat if I sold it?

How much in materials will it cost me to fix it up?

How much in added extras (like seats, etc.) will I be putting into the boat?

How much time will it take to do the fix up?

Lets say I could get $200 for the boat. And lets say it will be another $300 in materials and extras to get it fixed up to what you want. I also think the project will take a minimum of 10 hours labor.

I would then look at what's out there in the same total price range in craigslist and local newspapers. So if I could get a boat something like the link below for $600 will all the extras, I would probably go the "sell and purchase" route before starting that big of a project. But that's just me.

Not saying you shouldn't go through with the project, just saying look at other alternatives.

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/504115858.html

[Guest muddy]

Once t I finish school and things settle down on center, they go in cycles Me and Bruce are gonna redo the boat. It is perfect for when we go at it alone, and since i fish with him most the time, that boat suits us well. I want to learn the skills for something like this and we are looking at a toal investment of under 300 bucks. But I bet the lessons earned and the laughs accumualted along the way will be the real bonus.Plus when we get it on the water, I am sure it will serve us well as it has for 7 seasons 8-)

[Tin]

A heat gun or blow drier and a paint scraper or something along those lines will get the glue off. Also to add on to what Zel said, don't forget about the headaches and frustrations that come along with a project like this. My dad and I have had first hand experience with these types of projects and needless to say, things dont always go as planned or like you want.

Good luck with it though, when you finish it, it will mean a lot more to you than just a boat.  

[surfer]

Zel is a smart man on this one.  True you will be learning certain skills during the rebuild, but do you plan on using these skills in the future?  The ability to strip Liquid nails from aluminum won't take you far in life.  You could take a job and apply the same number of hours there and use the money to purchase the other boat.  Then the skills you learned during the job can be applied to future jobs to make your time more valuable to your employers.

I am guessing 6 to 10 hours will only get the glue out of the hull.  another 6 or 10 to get the paint off.  Dont forget to include trips to the hardwhare store in your time estimates.  

Darn economics class.  Now I think of everything in these time=money terms. >

Good luck and I hope you enjoy it wichever path you chose.

[Guest muddy]

I don't need skills to make a living I already can do this, and it has nothing to do what the skills I want to learn. There is no need for me and Bruce to buy another boat.economically this is the best 150 bucks I ever spent : 7 years ago!

I never had the chance to scrape,bust a knuckle or two, or ever have worked a sander. I have the time and someone to help, I merley asked for an insight on how to do this , the decision has been made to keep the boat already! Thanks anyway, I am grateful for what you guys are saying, and i understand where you are coming from. 8-)

As far as time, the ice is on the lakes , 3 storms are on the way I have all the time in the world :

[bassboy1]

What nobody pointed out, is the amount of fun, and self satisfaction that comes from doing this stuff.  Mind you, even though I am only 14, I have a lot of experience, with tools, and creating, as my dad practically threw tools into my hands when I was born.  So, the skill part of it came naturally for me.  But, there is something about restoring boats, that is a bit more fun, than much other work.  It may be, because so many skills are required, we use woodworking skills on certain aspects, steelworking on trailers, alum. skills on structure, not to mention mechanics of 2 stroke outboards, and electrical work.  I don't know, but whatever it is, it is a great hobby.  Visit many restoration forums, and you will see other people, who think the same about it as me.  We started out, looking for a boat we could fix up, and use to fish from.  Then, it has evolved into constantly looking for boats, so I can buy, fix, sell, and sometimes make a profit, and to restore some of the classics (just picked up a 1936 OMC 4.3 horse outboard.  I am so thrilled!)

For something like you are doing, it really isn't going to take that much in the way of tools, and expertise.  Mostly just the willingness to learn, and put some work in it.  If, or when, you decide to do this, just let us know.  I can put you on some good sites for that sort of thing.  

[surfer]

Cool deal.

So to start with the glue you should try a few different solvents and hope one of them works.  Without knowing exactly what glue was used you will have to try a few.  These three below come to mind with Xylene being the most harmful.  I would stay away from acids as I think they will eat the aluminum.  You will need to scrape also.  Again depending on the toughness of the glue will depend on what style of scraper to use.  For the really tough stuff try a 3/4 inch wood chisel. Hopefully though it will come of with some soaking of low odder mineral spirits and a 4 inch drywall knife used as a scraper.  

Goof Off (or other citrus based solvent)

Mineral Spirits

Xylene

I have not tried the heating methods that Fat and Tin mentioned, but the wire brush for the finishing touch will be helpful.  If you don't have a drill or grinder to spin the brush though you will need to spend some money.  I am not sure how to do that by hand without taking 20 times as long.

Unfortunately there is not usually a best way.  You will just have to keep trying different things until you find what works best for that situation.  Try different things.

[Guest muddy]

Thanks:  WHAT THE HECK (AVIDS FAVORITE EXPLETIVE) :is Goof Off I think the Xylene is gonna be the best bet. I also can see us using the brushes and scrapping. I really am looking foward to this. I grew up and lived mostly in apartments so my soulution to most things was either call the super or where's the duck tape?  This is gonna be too cool for me 8-)

[George Welcome]

[George Welcome]

The most user-friendly adhesive removers are made with citric acid technology. Look for the word "citrus" in the label and be assured the product will be fairly easy to use. These products often are water washable and are low-odor. Some are liquid and others are a paste. You simply apply them to the hard adhesive, stand back and let them work. The paste products work best on vertical surfaces.

[Guest muddy]

Thanks much George and Surfer>>>>>> Goof Off  or some other citrus product it will be 8-)

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

A heat gun or blow drier and a paint scraper or something along those lines will get the glue off.  

Make a bet?

This...............

Took hours of grinding with 60 grit to get off.

Muddy.  PICTURES, takes 2 seconds, and we'll start from there.

[fisherdave]

Muddy as far as paint I would use paint stripper. I used it an it worked great they make some stuff called airplane paint stripper and its probably the best. I am finishing my 14 ft v bottom so I might be of some help. My father in law gave me some greef on doing mine and now I am almost finished and I am glad I did it. Proud of it. Good luck and keep us post with pics.

[Guest muddy]

Thanks for all the input. My fishing partner, Bruce( soon to join us on the forums) is really into restoring things. We will start right after the Christmas Holiday. I was all excited about Rolo and Surfers suggestion about GOOF OFF, he already knew about it :

[George Welcome]

Goof Off is for small areas and is liquid. Citrus King or similar is a paste and made for large areas. I used it to remove the glue when I did my 20' bass boat. I removed the melted glue using a pressure cleaner. Twice over and I was done. If you use a pressure cleaner as your scrapper be sure to wear eye protection.

[Guest muddy]

Thank you much, when we start the project pics will follow, early Jan.

[Zel]

Muddy, this site might provide some help with your boat project

http://www.bassboatcarpets.com/faq.asp

[bassboy1]

Another option to look at, is how much of the area that the glue is on will be exposed.  If it is going to have a deck, or carpet over it, there is no need to spend the time scraping that crap off.  Just think of it as a protective layer for the inside of the hull. ;D