1980 S&S Restoration and Modernization

[1redTA]

I applied 4 more coats of clear to the stripe tonight. At first glance, I’ll need to do a little (but not much) razor blade clean up on the tape line before the blue goes on, which can probably happen this next weekend.

I’m hoping this cleans up the blue-to-flake transition nicely and I can move on to the next step.

Jel uses a clear?

[WhiskeyTango]

Jel uses a clear?

Yes. First, the dry flake is mixed into clear and applied, then it has to be covered in clear to allow sanding and polishing. The flake must have enough clear covering it that there is no sand through because most flake colors will turn silver if you break through the outer clear layer and sand them.

Side note: there is nothing “clear” about clear gelcoat. I have seen it look like translucent orange or gray in the can. I am not surprised at all that lighter flake colors like silver seem yellow to some people, especially as they age.

[waterlogged882]

Yes. First, the dry flake is mixed into clear and applied, then it has to be covered in clear to allow sanding and polishing. The flake must have enough clear covering it that there is no sand through because most flake colors will turn silver if you break through the outer clear layer and sand them.

Side note: there is nothing “clear” about clear gelcoat. I have seen it look like translucent orange or gray in the can. I am not surprised at all that lighter flake colors like silver seem yellow to some people, especially as they age.

Glad you have found the right combination.

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[WhiskeyTango]

Reached a fulfilling milestone today. The hull gelcoat is complete.

Since I last updated, I resprayed the blue on the sides, sanded, fixed imperfections, sanded more, blocked it flat and then went up the sanding grit progression to 2000. Then a total of nine laps around the boat with three grits of compound. Body work is time consuming. This was over 40 hours of work.

I’m looking forward to moving on to other phases.

Some pics of the process…

[waterlogged882]

Looks great. Better than great. Holy smokes even...

When does it go back onto the trailer? Talk about flipping a boat?
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[jtryon]

stunning!

[Ironhorse]

Wow!!!!!

[WhiskeyTango]

[QUOTE=waterlogged882;n2698523]

When does it go back onto the trailer? Talk about flipping a boat?
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I previously stopped short of the full trailer restoration. The main fabrication is done (winch post, prop guard and fenders) but nothing cosmetic is done. So that’s next. Will probably take a month or so.

The other option was to finish the boat on an unrestored trailer, and restore the trailer at some future date while the boat is on the lift, but I couldn’t accept the idea of dragging a fresh boat around on a rusty old mess.

[WhiskeyTango]

The trailer fab is done. Fenders needed some clean up and mounting tabs built.

It is as stripped down as I can get it and still move it. It goes to the blaster tomorrow morning. Then body work on the fenders, and I’ll get to re-learn how to paint (it’s been a minute…).

(Bonus: Since it’s winter, for those bored enough to be on TT over the last few weeks, you’ll also get to see my favorite wheel chocks.)

[waterlogged882]

The trailer fab is done. Fenders needed some clean up and mounting tabs built.

It is as stripped down as I can get it and still move it. It goes to the blaster tomorrow morning. Then body work on the fenders, and I’ll get to re-learn how to paint (it’s been a minute…).

(Bonus: Since it’s winter, for those bored enough to be on TT over the last few weeks, you’ll also get to see my favorite wheel chocks.)

like.

You know someone will ask you for dimensions.

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[WhiskeyTango]

The trailer came back from the blaster (who came recommended) partially blasted and with the fenders bent in a few places. Disappointing to say the least.

Lots of sanding to get to bare metal and then some bodywork followed to get somewhat straight fenders.

Today we got all the trailer parts in epoxy primer (gray) and followed that with Featherfill primer (black, although gray was ordered) on the areas that will be bodyworked further.

This will cure and then I’ll block sand the fenders to see what additional bodywork is needed, Hoping to be ready for color in a week or two.

[WhiskeyTango]

A bit more trailer progress. For anyone that ever wants to do this, here are the next steps. The black polyester filler primer (Evercoat feather fill) was all block sanded with 120 and then 220 or 320 grit. This was on the outside of the frame rails, the winch post, fenders, and seat base. All the stuff I wanted somewhat smooth…





This exposed some bare steel, which I recoated with the little bit of epoxy primer I had left (the white spots on the fenders) to ensure good adhesion. Then I sprayed the fenders and seat exterior with three fat coats of 2k urethane primer surfacer which will be block sanded smooth once it has cured.






I didn’t have enough epoxy primer to respray the frame. Once it arrives, the trailer frame and these parts will be sprayed with epoxy primer prior to spraying color. They are all ready to go, and will just need wiped down and sprayed. Everything is delayed right now, or I think I could get this in color tomorrow. Oh well.





New springs, spring shackles, shackle bolts, u-bolts, wheel seals, and bearing buddies are now on hand for reassembly.

Mrs WT declared this morning that she was tired of never being able to do anything because I was working on the boat all the time, so she sanded and mixed paint all day. Nice!

[waterlogged882]

Justin,

Heck of a journey you got going here.

Several things I like about this thread:

• That older Chevrolet truck
• Purple chair
• New stringers
• EFI
• Nice refresh on the windshield
• Lest I forget the body work and trailer fabrication
• Metalflake
• Nice looking engine
• Dedication, diligence, and persistence
• A patient and supporting wife

.

[Torstenlaw]

Late to the thread, but what an awesome job and amount of work! Thanks for doing this and sharing!

[ONTHECOAST]

Justin,

Heck of a journey you got going here.

Several things I like about this thread:

• That older Chevrolet truck
• Purple chair
• New stringers
• EFI
• Nice refresh on the windshield
• Lest I forget the body work and trailer fabrication
• Metalflake
• Nice looking engine
• Dedication, diligence, and persistence
• A patient and supporting wife

.

Especially the last one. Best kind of help ever.