1971 Flatback

[RickK]

Think END OF APRIL, END OF APRIL, END OF APRIL
Looks good man.

[LilRichard]

This is where it starts getting fun.

I had never shot a LPU paint before - and from the tribulations I had witnessed from other folks on these sites, I was a little worried.  I used Awlgrip 545 - both gray and white primers - gray on the bottom as a "signal coat" for sanding, and white on top to reduce the amount of topcpat I will have to put down.  I followed the directions (imagine that) and I thought the process went smoothly.  Granted, this was only primer - but if it is any indication of what the topcoat will spray like, I am really happy.

So first I built myself a "redneck paint booth":
 

I setup my inline air filter in the canopy.  Setup my mixing area in my workshop - didn't want any contaminants in the paint.  For the record, you should use forced air when shooting these paints - but with a ton of ventilation this setup is marginally acceptable.

I sprayed a "tack coat" of gray first, and let that kick for 45mins:







Note the paint is not layed on thick in the "tack coat" stage.





After a second coat of gray, I switched to white and layed down two coats.  Here are the results:







Now I will start sanding this down - and fixing some of my shoddy body work that popped out when I put the primer on (no surprise).  I will spot prime the areas that I fair out, sand them, and then it is time for the topcoat.

I am torn as to what I will use for the topcoat.  I can use Imron, or I might use something like Interlux VC Epoxy - apparently that is what they use on a lot of go-fast boats.  Supposed to be very hard and very slick.  Anyone have any feedback/thoughts on either?  This boat will be a trailer queen - maybe left in the water for five to seven days max - and that would be very infrequent.

I am starting to really get the itch to finish this thing up!

[slippery73]

I've heard nothing but bad things about painting the bottom sides of boats, it will bubble and start to peel if it stays wet for any amount of time. Even trailer bunk carpet holds enough water to ruin a painted finish. You might want to consider gelcoating the bottom or using a bottom paint.

[LilRichard]

Actually I have heard nothing but great things about painting the bottom of boats with Imron or Awlgrip - that's actually what a good deal or rebuilders do.  This will not work for boats that sit in the water, but for my application it should be fine.

And btw, VC Epoxy is a bottom paint - if that is what I decide to use.

[slippery73]

Just wanted to give you a heads up, a local builder I know has had problems with it on bottoms, blisters very easily once scratched as well. I would definately go with a paint that the manufacturer recommends using on boat bottoms. Call up the manufacturers and check before you make that kind of investment. Might want to check into dupont's nason finishes. Quite a bit cheaper than awl grip and its basically the same.

[LilRichard]

I appreciate your input... I will do that.

[REELCLIMAX]

LilRichard, I painted my last boat with Awlgrip. It was painted white on the bottom just like yours and it was a trailer queen.  Never left it in long enough for anything to grow on it. I never had a problem with any bubbles in the paint or anything of that nature. Boat was painted 2 years ago and still looks good as I see it on occassion when I fish with my father.

[LilRichard]

Thanks for the feedback... I am leaning toward either Imron or VC Epoxy - need to make up my mind.  The white on there now is Awlgrip 545.  Sadly I still have a little fairing to do, then spot prime, sand again, and paint.

[LilRichard]

More work complete... "Tiger striped" (guide coated) the primer to ensure an even sand:





Then came the sanding:



Hit it with the block and the DA - a little of each.  I will hand block the sides, but the bottom is the bottom.



You can see the grey primer underneath where I hit some high spots:



Then came the topcoat... WOOHOO!!!





Then we went over to Quality and checked out the progress on the tower:




That's all she wrote for now.  Need to lightly sand the bottom (it was a mass suicide of bugs) and buff - but it will be right side up soon.

Heading to the Keys in two weeks for some fishing, so it might be a little while till I post more pics.

[RickK]

Looking good Rick.

[John Jones]

I'll go to the Keys in your place and you stay home working on the boat ;)

Looking great.
I can show you a ton of boats with Awlgrip or Imron bottoms with absolutely no issues.  I can also show you the same number of boats with factory gelcoat that are blistered all to hell, including trailered boats with bunk blisters.  Gelcoat is no better at sealing water out than a good paint.  Bottom paint will NOT seal out water.  That's the reason one is supposed to seal the bottom with something like Interlux Interprotect 2000E to prevent water absorption by fiberglass before using bottom paint on boats that are left in the water.

https://secure.international-coatings.c ... 000186.htm

[Undertow2]

Lookin good bro.

[LilRichard]

Don't want to deny you guys any boat porn - so here is a (not so exciting) update...

If you recall, the transom DID look like this:



After about an hour with the grinder, another light layer of mat, and some fairing compound, it now looks like this:







It is VERY straight.  I have hit the entire transom with compound and sanded it twice - I will do a little more spot filling, then it is done.  I also hit the bottom with a high speed (I was bored Sunday after a few beers) and the shine really came out in the paint.  

My plan is to have it right side up again when I return from the keys in two weeks - then it is time to fair the inside.  One of these days I may actually put it in the water...

[LilRichard]

So it's been a while since I have posted, but that is due to a lack of good pictures, not a lack of progress.  The boat is rightside up now, and I have been grinding all of the glass on the inside of the hull.  Did I mention how much I hate grinding glass?  Anyway, will begin fairing today on the inside - hope to be painting in the next month or so.

The only cool pictures I have are of the tower I picked up last night from Quality.  I have mentioned it before, but they are really great to work with.  Travis was very patient with me, and really treated me like his only customer.  Not to mention his product is really a work of art.  

Here is the best porn I can provide at this time:









I'll post some fairing pics later this weekend.

[RickK]

That tower looks great  :!:  :!:
Remember as you go through the filling/fairing process, that if it ain't a structural thing and your beating yourself up over cosmetic perfection, remember that first huge wave that'll crack anything that you did on the cosmetic side.  Don't get too perfectionist.....


"get her done"