Flatback Fireboat Rebuild

[Callyb]

Cataracts! S.O.B. Well it seems like everything went well and that is good. I'll also be standing by to see how that PVA acts after sitting for a few weeks.

Heal up my friend!

[CLM65]

Cataracts! S.O.B. Well it seems like everything went well and that is good. I'll also be standing by to see how that PVA acts after sitting for a few weeks.

Heal up my friend!

Big thanks for the pressure washer recommendation, Carl   The PVA came right off.  The water turned a nice green tint as soon as it hit the hull, and it all rinsed right off.

[RickK]

Cool

[RickK]

I forgot to ask, was the resin tack free now?

[CLM65]

It feels tack free to the touch.  We'll see what happens when I try sanding.

[Callyb]

I'm glad to hear that everything worked out. I was pretty curious myself as to what the pva would do sitting for an extended period... Now we know, and knowing is half the battle!

[Callyb]

Anything new?

[CLM65]

Hi Carl.  I've got my transom just about fair.  I keep trying to finish it when I get home from work, but our afternoon/evening showers have been getting in the way.  The bottom is also mostly sanded, and ready for fairing compound.  I'm hoping to have a productive day tomorrow (I work 4-10's, with Fridays off, so that is when I get most of my work done).  Hopefully I'll have some pics to share late tomorrow.

[Callyb]

Boy I miss 4-10s....

Anyway, I am glad to here you have been plugging away. I am getting lonely in the flatback forum.... LOL!

I look forward to seeing your progress.

Happy fairing!
 

[CLM65]

Well, made a bit of progress today on the transom.  Here is what it looked like before I started fairing.  This was actually taken last weekend:



I didn't take pictures of all the stages, but here is the process.  First I used some evercoat fairing putty.  I only had a small container - enough to do about 3/4 of the transom.  I finished the rest with some Arjay VE material I recently purchased.

Which brings me to this little bit of advice...make sure you know what you are buying!  I originally ordered some Arjay 1201 polyester fairing compound, but at the last minute I changed it to Arjay 7121 vinylester fairing compound, figuring I would go for the better bonding characteristics.  At least I thought it was intended to be used as fairing compound.  The stuff went on really good.  Good working time.  Easy spreading.  Nice and smooth.  But after it cured, what a PITA .  I contacted the Arjay folks and they said they never saw it used this way, but it may work as a fairing compound, but they didn't recommend it.  So I ordered some 1201 which should be in Monday.  The 7121 wasn't cheap (around $250 for a 5 gallon pail), but I should be able to use it for bonding the deck to the stringers.  I won't need nearly 5 gallons for that, so much of it will be wasted .  Anyway, back to the fairing.

One method Robb Young (Young Boats) suggested for fairing is to use thickened gelcoat.  So while I'm waiting for the 1201 to come in, I gave that a try.  I coated the transom with a layer of gelcoat (with wax additive).  I sanded the surface to remove the wax, then sprayed/wiped the entire transom with a dykem blue/acetone solution.



Then sanded with the long board to reveal the low spots.



Painted those low spots with more thickened gelcoat, and then gave the entire transom another coat, and faired again.



I have a couple of minor spots to touch up, but I think the transom is almost done.  I also got a little done on the sides.  Overall a pretty productive day I think.

[RickK]

Looks good Craig. How'd the longboard work for you?
When I did the console (part 1) I sprayed gelcoat as a fairing layer, figuring it was thicker and would fill a lot.  It worked good - didn't thicken it though. Did you roll that on or "spread"it on? Hey, it's poly in the end.
I hope to have a spraying party this weekend - giving the console it's last gelcoat spray, the final primer on the bottom and maybe the VC Performance on the bottom. Wish list anyway.

[CLM65]

Thanks Rick.  The longboard was a lot of work, and my arms are a bit tired, but it wasn't too bad.  I think gelcoat has a fairly short window where it sands pretty easily.  So I sanded it as soon as it was hard.  The type of paper also makes a big difference.  I have been mostly using 3M green corps.  I used it on my DA when I removed the paint from the hull, and it worked so well I bought the adhesive strips for my homemade longboards.  I also tried some belt sander sandpaper that I glued to the longboard with adhesive spray.  It wasn't nearly as effective.

I thickened the gelcoat with glass bubbles, but it was still thin enough to roll on.

Wish I could make it to your party, but alas it is Father's Day weekend, so we will have our own partying to do.  Good luck with all your painting goals!

[RickK]

Yup, I have two daughters that will succeed in making my plans a wish list.  I'll get something done though.

[Callyb]

Man, that is a lot of work you got done! Looks great too!

Thanks for the update, I look forward to the next one too!

Til next time,

[CLM65]

Thanks Carl.  I wish you were a little ahead of me on this stuff.  I look at what you do and think "I wish I thought of that"!  Thankfully I have Rick!