Question on sanding my boat

[brianwhiteboy]

I recently found that my 18' Jencraft had the old metal flake gelcoat underneath the current paint job. Since I'm going to have the thing gel coated white, I'm trying to sand down most of it myself to save a little $$.
My question is can I use a DA sander to get through most of the paint and then hand sand once I begin to reach the gel? I know the concern is that using an air sander might leave flat spots...but would it be OK to use to cut through the few top layers of paint? Otherwise I'll be sanding by hand for the next 6 months! :rolleyes:
[ September 09, 2003, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: brianwhiteboy ]

[BrendellaJet]

Use a four inch razor blade/scraper. I stripped the top side of my hull(the only part that was painted) in about an hour. Once you get the "feel" for it, you'll feel sorry for people who use a sander to do the job.

[Elk Chaser]

There is also a paint stripper made just for fiberglass. At least so I am told.

[HOSS]

Use the DA and smack 400 on it. After that end up with 800 unless you plan to use body filler primer. If thats the case 400 and dust real good.