How difficult is removing fiberglass applied by Old Town

[Howie]

Ive been offered a freebie. It's a 15ft Old Town, which is great. But the problem is it has fiberglass applied by the factory. Anybody ever tackled removing fiberglass applied by the factory? How hard is it to remove? I really hate to turn down a 15 foot Old Town!

 

[Dan Miller]

I suppose that depends on whether OT was using polyester or epoxy resin in the 1980s. You get to be the guinea pig

 

[Todd Bradshaw]

Considering that we occasionally would have a Trapper come in with a delaminated spot, they were using polyester fiberglass back in the day. Whether or not they eventually switched to epoxy resin, I don't know, but I seriously doubt it. In any case, polyester would be much easier to peel with the use of a heat gun. than epoxy would be. However, do be aware that that series of boats - the Lightweight (canvas skin), Trapper (fiberglass) and Featherweight (Dacron skin) were all built using thinner planking to save weight. That would give you less margin for error when peeling the glass off.

 

[Dave Osborn]

Leave it in the sun and it will come off by itself.
BTW. The inside was pristine. I re-glassed it at the customers request.

 

[Maxtoon]

The difference between stripping off polyester or epoxy-bonded fiberglass is negligible. Both types of bonds are destroyed by heat, and both strip off fairly well with an electric heat gun and a variety of scrapers and putty knives. Use the heat break the bond, generate the least amount of smoke and fumes possible. Wear body protection because the fiberglass peeling motion sprays fiberglass particles everywhere. Glasses, mask, gloves, a hat and disposable paper suit highly recommended. The level of difficulty in removal of fiberglass is usually tied to how well the surface was prepared when the sheathing was originally applied. Sometimes it does come right off in the sun if the bond is already compromised. Sometimes it will fight you every inch of the way. The most time-consuming aspect can be cleaning out epoxy or polyester filling in the gaps between the planks. You can break parts of the plank edge off in your effort to remove it. Sometimes best to leave it be. If you are going to re-glass, this is no issue.

 

[Howie]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

 

[dtdcanoes]

A Dremel with the proper discs will do it, Howie. Patience at the rib edge and you can get the plank edges if you are really particular and in no rush.
Have fun and the wine after the work.

 

[kerryb]

Removing the polyester fiberglass from this hull took about an hour. I’ll be researching “best methods before proceeding.