Restoration ~ Continued
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35664
Printed Date: November-17-2024 at 5:51am
Topic: Restoration ~ Continued
Posted By: iplan
Subject: Restoration ~ Continued
Date Posted: March-30-2015 at 9:13pm
|
So two years ago, I rebuilt my engine. Last year, did a full stringer replacement, and my thread of incessant whining is searchable on here somewhere. That said, I eventually did get it done. Before the season begins this year, I want to address the gelcoat. I have removed all of the decals, and was beginning the process of making gelcoat repairs. Then I began to wonder if I should revive the gelcoat first ~ before I make the repairs ~ in hopes of a better match..... One last thing ~ when the hull separated from the floor, I got a bunch of spider cracks in the gelcoat. I've attached a picture of one of the more prominate ones. When I re did the stringers, I re enforced all of these areas from the inside of the boat. Just want to make sure that all I need to do *when the time comes* is Drimmel them out, and put the gelcoat back in there.  Best, iplan ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Replies:
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: March-30-2015 at 9:22pm
| Yes, wetsand and buff first- you'll want to color match to the restored gel. You might find that a freshly buffed, shiny boat looks pretty good and the remaining cracks are much less noticeable. |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 12:10am
|
I know the P.O. wet sanded this boat at least once..... Before I started wet sanding the aft (above the swim platform ~ which is removed), I noticed these little white random dashes in the finish. I figured they were tiny surface scratches.... I'm not sure what they are, but I now know they are not scratches, because they do not go away. Actually, they look almost like strands of fiberglass, and the more I sand, the more I see them ~~~ meaning that as I remove gelcoat I see more and more of them. Does this mean that paint is in my future?  ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 12:23am
| What year is your boat? 87? |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 12:37am
|
It's a 1985. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: Hollywood
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 1:13am
|
That's a good guess. Johnny's 88 BFN has a small area of those on the burgandy stripe on the transom. If it was sun related you'd expect to see it covering more of the same area evenly. The boat may have been sanded on once before. You'd probably never notice them on the rest of the "white" gelcoat. My 88 SN with original decals, never sanded, had seen PLENTY of sun and has none of that. ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 8:01am
Johnathan, No, but a regel may be needed. I ended up having to gel the transom of my Tique since the ghosting from the PO naming (lettering) the boat never wet sanded out. I was hitting glass under the gel and the shadow was still there. Ir's a pretty easy area to gel since the color match doesn't need to be perfect with the "blend" line being at the corner of the hull side and transom. I used a standard rattle can color of gel. It's a very easy system to use. You inject the catalyst into the can with a special pump and then you have a couple hours to spray before the poly gel "kicks" so there's time for several coats. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
iplan wrote:Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 11:44am
Got a link to the rattle can re gel option? I'm not seeing anything in my West Marine or Jamestown Dist Catalogs. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 12:47pm
|
The fact that they're showing up as you sand is somewhat concerning, but that is not what I would expect to see if you were sanding through the gel. That usually looks like dark spots, right Pete? Those look like the familiar "bad gel" cracks. Some boats get them- the deck on my '67 is covered with them, and there are a handful on my '87 bfn in spots. 87 is known as a bad year for gel, hence my question. Ambient conditions were not well controlled at the old factory, mix ratios were often eyeballed by the workers according to temp and humidity levels back then- so gel quality certainly varied a bit from boat to boat- especially now that they've been exposed to 30 years of varying care and exposure. That's my guess as to what you're seeing. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-06-2015 at 7:23pm
http://minicraft.com/aboutus.htm" rel="nofollow - Here's the link . I would have done the link this morning but had to get to work. Tim, A glass fiber that hasn't been wetted out with resin may look light. Who knows on this one. Maybe it was something the wind blew in the door when they shot the red gel on the mold?  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-07-2015 at 2:29pm
Called Mini-Craft. They don't make the pump that went with the rattle can aresol app anymore due to the rising cost of the pump..... They do have a patch up kit that comes with a disposable touch up spray gun for $350 (see link). http://www.minicraft.com/retail/gcrepairkit.htm (the one I'm referring to is the second package down ~ which has the $125 disposable spray gun). Thoughts/ Recommendations? ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-07-2015 at 7:15pm
|
Johnathan, I've never used one of the disposable guns but have seen them work. They work but don't expect a quality spray job. You just need to do more wet sanding. Too bad they don't have the pump anymore. I thought it was a great idea. I find it hard to believe that the pumps price went up that much. The tooling cost for the injection mold should have been amortized long ago so then it's just material cost increases. I work in the injection molding business and material hasn't gone up that much! Maybe 1 cent??? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: April-07-2015 at 7:28pm
|
Here's the pump. In this picture, I was re purposing it to inject an aniline dye into a rattle can for a custom color. http://s133.photobucket.com/user/brainard_bucket_bucket/media/DSCF0003-17.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-27-2015 at 1:46am
|
I keep getting a message that says, "Your message was rejected by spam filters." Just wondering if this is something unique to the post I 'was' trying to put in here. Intended but blocked message follows: "So, I disappear off the forum to continue wet sanding, and man does the CorrectCraftFan website look GOOD all the sudden! Someone has been hard at work while I was getting a set of arms to match Popeye. I don't have pics to document this so take my word for it), but my gelcoat is done. The more I sanded, the more white flecks I saw, until I began to see the ominous black spots coming up underneath. Not just in one location either There is no more gelcoat to sand, and the finish was not salvageable..... So , I decided to paint. This in some ways was a relief, as I have always wanted a different color of "this' boat. I made my paint order at Jamestown distributors, and started sanding and fairing..... 40 hours of sanding later, I have a boat with 5 spots that STILL need some filling and fairing work, but I am happy with the progress I've made so far. The first coat of primer was applied in gray, and a light guide sanding coat (yellow) was spray painted on. Once the yellow spray painted coat dried, it was then sanded all the way off ~~~ taking much of the primer coat with it in the process. This is an important step though, and I'm glad I did it because now the boat is completely faired.... less the stubborn spots previously mentioned (and you can tell where they are, because they're still sporting a light covering of yellow spray paint. After giving up on the sanding two or three times, I decided that I needed to go ahead with the next primer coat. So today I was able to get the second coat of primer on. I had been just rolling the primer on, but when I got to the transom, I decided it was time to start practicing my rolling and tipping ~ in preparation for the time I actually begin to apply the paint. There is an art to rolling and tipping this is for certain, and I have not yet mastered it. Never the less, I press on. The plan is to use 2 coats of primer topside, and 3 coats of primer on the sides. I've enclosed a picture of the status of the job as it stood this evening ~ the whole boat with 2 coats of primer. Once primed, my plan is to paint the boat Hattaras Off-White 1990 (by Interlux), and then put subdued decals back on ~~~~ They'll say, "Ski Nautique 2001" in maroon to match the trim of the upholstry~ but they'll be smaller (and positioned aft ~~~ toward the transom), I'll do the same with the "Competition Ski Tow Boat" decal on the transom. I think I am going to pass on the pinstripes also. Something so peaceful about a simple boat with simple lines and a simple paint job. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-27-2015 at 1:55am
|
Here's the boat as she looked tonight.... More sanding and priming tomorrow.  ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: April-27-2015 at 2:27am
|
Curious on why you picked Interlux,did you do any reading about it other than their sales info? You might want to beg borrow or rent some spray equiptment too might make it easier. I painted my Shamrock last summer with Imron,quite the project but well worth it for what I started with and ended up with. 20 footers seem small when your out on big water but while painting seemed pretty huge. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: April-27-2015 at 9:19am
|
I have some history with Interlux, as I painted the inside of the boat (instead of going back with carpet) when I replaced the stringers last year, but I haven't tried any other paint to compare it to.... just sort of became an Interlux man by default I guess. I'm going to try rolling and tipping... the great thing about paint is that it is easy to sand off....... No truer words about the 20 footer being a small boat until you began painting it, but I'm only painting to the chine, and leaving gel coat on the bottom.. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 3:42pm
So.... I got the first coat of Interlux Brightsides on, and took this picture. I had read a thread about a guy painting his boat, and his comment was, "3/4 of the way through the first coat, I figured out how to do it." and that is exactly how it played out for me. My formula: Weather: 82 degrees. Low humidity. Do not thin paint Roll about 4 square feet with roller Wait 30 seconds to 1 minute Tip with brush dipped in just a little bit of paint I had been dipping the brush in Brush Thinner.... and it was too much ~ causing the tint to run. So far today, I've sanded off all the little imperfections (bugs that got stuck in the paint before it dried to the touch, and a few runs) on topsides today with 320 grit sand paper. It took a lot longer than I thought, and I am debating if this is even a necessary process..... but reason says it can not hurt to sand it smooth again. I hope to get the sides this afternoon.... They don't seem as rough as the topsides (as I say, I got better as I painted more). She will be a work of art... She will be. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 3:54pm
|
One other question regarding the Ski Nautique replacement decals.... I think I've decided that I want to put this style back on.... instead of the style that went with my year.... Does anyone know where to get decals like this (except in maroon)?  ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: skutsch
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 5:13pm
|
Do you mean the "Ski Nautique" decal or the Swooping "N" The Swooping "N" is actually done in Gel Coat It could be painted I suppose, otherwise probably best bet is to find a "wrap" company to make a decal, I have a contact if you need one. ------------- Our http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4669" rel="nofollow - 98 Sport Nautique My Dad's 63 Ski N |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 5:48pm
|
I was thinking the whole thing was a sticker.... (Swooping N & Ski Nautique). Who is the contact who could make a wrap? I'd like to get in touch with them. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: 74Wind
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 6:07pm
Funny, seen a lotta photos of that boat and until now never put it together that the white is actually a swooping N......NOW I see it...  ------------- 1974 Southwind 18 1975 Century Mark II |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 6:57pm
|
Same thing for me but I just pretended like I always knew what it was LOL! ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 7:22pm
 ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: May-07-2015 at 7:34pm
|
I love those graphics and the way they they put them into the gel. There is a white one here by me with a red swoosh that is almost as nice. The decals are so touchy,one of my N's has almost come completly off 2 times now ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-12-2015 at 10:51pm
|
So ~~~~ After going over the first coat with 320 grit sand paper to get the bugs out and (a couple of unsightly runs), I went back with the second coat. I WISH I had taken a picture of what the boat looked like after sanding the first coat, but before I applied the second coat ~~~ because it really looked like poop. Still, I had hope, and today when the second coat began to immediately lay down (as hoped), I knew I was going to get some really nice results. Here is a picture of what she looks like with the second coat on. I think I'm going to sand again, and apply a 3rd coat (which Interlux says is optional) in hopes of improving the finish that much more. I may also seek to apply that 3rd coat in a "dust free" environment ~ to minimize the imperfections caused by dust, gnats, etc.  At any rate, my progress now has me seriously thinking about my decals. It's time to order them. BTW, my wife HATES the gel coated "swoosh N" on the blue boat (that I thought looked so awesome)..... ~~~~ lol That said, she did say that she liked the "Ski Nautique" portion of the Swoosh Boat ~~~~ and thought that it would look nice (If we could get in in maroon). So, I'm after the "Ski Nautique" decal from the Swoosh boat, and the "Competition Ski Boat" decal for the transom. Does anyone have a contact, or link? ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |
Posted By: iplan
Date Posted: May-21-2015 at 2:31am
|
So I went with the 3rd coat. And rather than sand everything absolutely smooth like I did the first time, I just put a tooth over all of the surface and started painting Sunday after church and a family lunch...... I tried to get out of the lunch to "spend time with the boat" but the family would have none of it.. When I got to the boat, the temp in the shed was 88 degrees (6 degrees over my formula of 82 degrees and no thinner) and windy. What the heck.... "I'll close the front opening to keep the wind from blowing in, and it'll be fine." Well, that was a mistake. I should have waited for calmer winds and cooler temperatures. Like I said,,, should have waited, but I started at the closed bow on the starboard side (by the driver's side cup holder, and went to the stern). I immediately felt the tipping brush dragging, but kept going..... It wasn't flowing as smoothly as before, but it was laying down pretty well. I just had to move really fast (no 30 second delay between rolling my 4 square feet and tipping), and I was dipping my tipping brush in brushing solvent every 3 or 4 minutes.. As I painted it got hotter and hotter. When I got to the half way up the port side, all hades broke loose, and the paint started drying ~ literally on contact with the boat. I tried to thin on the fly..... changed tipping brushes... ran out of brushing liquid.... etc.. From that part forward the job was simply unsalvagable... but I kept at it for some reason..... Then at the end, I put my hand on the port side of the bow to see if the pain was dry to the touch, and could feel the heat resonating off the surface of the boat. I looked at the thermometer.... It read: "96 degrees." Of course the 3rd coat came out as a total disaster. So instead of getting decals on Monday, it is now Thursday, and I've spent at least 8 hours sanding through all of the 3rd coat, and the imperfections in the second coat with 220 grit sand paper. I've still got over half the boat to go, and Memorial Day weekend is upon us. Once I get the boat squared away, I've got to go over it again with 320 grit before painting the final coat.. So a couple of lessons learned: Don't force the paint. You'll just have to sand it off later. Also if you paint, and a fly lands in the wet paint, or you have a run, or a brush stroke in the coat, you will not be able to paint over it. The blemish will simply be amplified on the next coat, so you must sand off all imperfections before you apply the next coat. My plan going forward: Spend at least another 8 hours of sanding, and get my final coat surface 100% correct. Then wait for the IDEAL painting conditions (early morning, low humidity, 82 degrees, no wind), tape off logical sections of the boat and paint those sections one at a time (I had been painting them all at the same time) ~ changing rollers, and tipping brush after each section. I will keep you posted. ------------- 85 Ski Nautique 2001. Stringer replacement job completed July 3 2014. Exterior painted June 2015. The Trailer is next. |