T&T: Sandblasting

[bob Austin]

I strongly advise against sandblasting.  There are many documented instances
of gel coat and laminate damage.  Just a few seconds of in attention (Rhodes
Scholars are not employed for this job) will result in very serious damage.
Also there will be grains of sand embeded in the gelcoat.  This will break
down what resistance there is to water ingress.  There are also many cases of
documented blister formation after sandblasting--where the boat had been
blister free for many years.

Soda blasting is another technique.  Generally safer than sandblasting, but
again I have seen some gelcoat damages.  Scrape, chemical removal or sand are
the best ways.  More expensive, but the cost of a blister job is far greater
than the "savings".

Bob Austin