butyl tape, paint removal polishing.

[AtlanticAl]

Lancer 28 rebuild, need to find butyl tape to re bed the toe rails, i have glassed in the joints, where do i find the tape, and is all butyl tape the same, or i either need two inch wide, or do a double layer of one inch, but i dont want to use some kind of butyl tape that is no good for marine use.

Been removing paint from the hull and deck, citri strip works quite well, reckon i get about two square metres, for every five dollars worth, finishing it off with a sander, is their any way i can polish the hull after its been sanded, or do you have to paint it again. When i got the paint off the bottom, the gel coat seemed to be cracked everywhere, like crazy paving, but it didnt go onto the blue band, though everything bellow that band, seems to have carzy paving, what caused that. everthing that was under the antifouling, has crazy paving.

Is it possible without too much time, to polish fiberglass after it has been sanded of paint, has anyone done it, no theories, i have plenty of those, would like to hear from people that have done it.

 

[sailcruiser]

Hi AtlanticAl,

One of the featured contributors sells marine butyl tape. All butyl is NOT created equal from what I've read. I'm in the process of re-bedding my deck hardware and using this product. There is a thread under 'Musings with MaineSail' where you can read more. There is also a how to on this same site: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape

Happy new year! SC

 

[25yearslater]

Hello AtlanticAl. If you can get all, and that's all, the paint off and there is sufficient gelcoat thickness remaining polishing it back up is possible. I had some paint touch up areas that I sanded clear prior to regelcoating my Oday 27. Maine Sail has a good tutorial on "Tips for a great Buff and wax." I used some different rubbing compounds but the results were astounding. As to the not much work or time? Forget it. This is a labor intensive man killer. To get a good end result is going to entail wet sanding. On a boat of that size you have your work cut out for you. In the end only you can determine if it is worth it to you. For me the aching shoulders and end result was worth every hour of it. There are others who restored their gelcoat with equally spectacular results. Here's a picture of mine to help you decide.

 

[dscribner]

25,

That job is nothing short of awe inspiring.

Big Al,

I sanded and painted my Lancer 25. The result was decent for a 35 year old boat. I could not imagine the time required on my back to restore the bottom! I applaud your zeal.