REMOVAL PAIN

In the April 2016 issue (“Pitted Glass”), a reader asked about restoring a pitted windshield. The reader might try contacting a company that repairs chipped windshields for automobiles. They use a clear resin. I have seen it done and, depending on the severity of the chip, it works very well.

Additionally, I have a question about bottom paint. I bought a pontoon boat which had the aluminum pontoons painted with some type of bottom paint that has lumps in it, causing some drag on the boat. I have tried several types of paint removers with no results and have sanded, but I can’t get it completely off. I’m afraid I might sand through the aluminum pontoons. I would appreciate any advice you might have to offer.

Bill Holt Via email

As much as we encourage DIY boat maintenance, we’d recommend you hire a professional “blaster.” These contractors use a variety of media, including plastic, glass beads, baking soda, sand and other stuff appropriate to the task in order to strip surfaces without damaging the underlying substrate. Get a local recommendation if you can — ask around at marinas and docks and ask other boaters.

Anti-fouling paint is nasty enough stuff when in liquid form. When you sand it, it goes airborne. For health reasons, and because stripping a boat bottom is just a nasty, nasty job, call the pros in on this one.

We just did this ourselves, albeit on a glass boat, in preparation for applying Pettit Paint’s new Black Widow paint. The details are online at boatingmag .com/pettit-black-widow-testing-andevaluation-part-two.