C-Forum

Is there a way to remove paint from a royalex boat?

run it over the rocks

I assume you are not talking about removing the outer colored vinyl layer from the Royalex (which can be done but would expose the underlying ABS to UV degradation).

If the hull has indeed been painted, try using Citrus stripper. I have had good luck with it.

Unfortunately it is is from the sides up, so running over rocks isn't an option. It was painted with some paint from mad river.


thank you for the replies.

I agree that a citrus stripper would be safe and effective. Avoid anything with acetone or similar solvents.

Are you sure it will be worth the work? An ugly canoe is good insurance against theft.

The only paint I've seen from Mad River was paint intended for touching up the finish on Royalex (it was a vinyl spray paint). That layer is largely serving as sunscreen for the ABS layers underneath which will get brittle with exposure to UVs. If you are concerned about asthetics (not that there is anything wrong with that), I'd find some of the new spray paints for plastic (i.e. Krylon Fusion) and paint over it. 2 cans can do a decent job on a small whitewater canoe, add a can for a full sized boat.

I've used single stage automotive paint on royalex with no problems.

Zap

The citrus stripper worked nearly instantly. It is mainly for aesthetics. After sitting at bull sluice as a teen and wanting to canoe down it, I hit 40 and decided I was getting to old to not try it, so i bought a boat and start paddling this year.

thanks for the advice.

Starting at 40; good for you foofooboy. What boat do you have? Glad to know about the citrus stripper.

Well I have always started everything late. I tried kayaking a few years ago, and while it was initially fun, it wasn't the same as when i paddled flat water as a teen. I have a genesis. I'm big guy, at 5'11 - 260. But i found a good deal on an 80s ME, so i picked that up and fixing it up to see if i like it better, if not, my buddies 12 year old son wants to paddle, and my brother has expressed interest, so one of them can use the extra boat. I am not really sure which is going to be a better boat to learn in.