Well, this little guy did the trick.  It would have gone quickly, but the air compressor just couldn't keep up, so...  6 hours.  It couldn't get all the way into the corner, so I made a custom scraper out of an old hacksaw blade, and also wrapped 40 grit paper around a round profile pad and held it with needle nose vice grips.  I'm just glad it's done.

When there is enough space, I LOVE a 4" angle grinder with a hard rubber pad and ~36 grit sandpaper.

That's too big for some places. The next smaller version which takes around a 2" disk is what is called a die grinder--a tool used more often for tool and die making, but still affordable.

Where that doesn't fit, I was able to get a right-angle attachment for my dremel, and able to cut disks of 36 grit paper about an inch in diameter for it. (If you hand-cut disks like that, dress the edge by running it gently on some abrasive first so it won't have rough corners that will catch and destroy your disk first thing) Dremels are pretty cheap, and don't hold up too well in that useage, but they do work well.

I was thinking of commercial grade gear which you might be able to hire. Never tried using a little home workshop type - but you might be onto something - I just looked at this youtube clip here.   

It shows a little home workshop type and gives a few facts and figures, including a $20 attachment for a small compressor which might do the job, though might take a little longer. I would have thought it a waste of time, but evidently the trick is to shorten the hose.

This guy is using a face shield - I think I would use a breathing mask also.

Paint?
What sort of paint is it?. If it is two-pot polyurethane, then I would think that it could take glassing after just a bit rubbing. My experience with that sort of paint is that it is "glue with colour in it", so will not let go.

If it is good old oil paint, then maybe you could remove it with paint remover (on a can)?

If the paint is Topcoat (polyester), then I don't know.

Arne

Scott Dufour wrote:

Darren, is that the kind of mod you did?  I've seen shop built mods where you don't actually hold the grinder at all, but set up a jig, lock it in place, and manipulate the grinder from a safe distance at the end of a long 2x4 lever.

If I really can't get to the paint to strip it all down, I'm going to print out a copy of Annie's last paragraph and memorialize it under the fiberglass I put over the paint.  I've already got an engraving planned for the mast partners that reads, "David said it's okay, David said it's okay."

I too should have a plaque on my boat that commemorates David's contributions.  Perhaps, I should have a coin minted with him on it for under the mast!  Although, it could quickly get out of hand, verging on adding ballast to the boat, if I include all the JRA members that have contributed ideas.