leaky chainplates, paint, and other stuff.

[emergpa1]

My freshly and carefully mounted port chainplate leaked like a sieve with the rain. I took it apart and the forward surface of the chainplate was too close to the rectangular opening to allow any caulk in. I believe that it would help to bevel the top of that opening in much the same fashion as we do round holes for bolts. I will post the results.

As i was disassembleing said chainplate, I was disappointed in how easily the 3m 4200 caulk came off the surface of the chainplate, as well as the deck (which is painted in that area). The surfaces were carefully cleaned a prepped with acetone. I even sanded the deck a little to increase adhesion. When I removed the caulk from the deck some of the paint came up with it. I have not had the adhesion problems in areas where caulk was applied to gelcoat.

Which brings up another conclusion: Paint on a boat is a bad idea. Folks who have followed my post know how much trouble i had with paint adhesion to my repaired deck areas (with epoxy). Some areas were done three times. I consulted factory, net, etc. I am a stickler for details (although i did screw up the first time by not thinning the primer properly to specs). All I can say is I have have been dissapointed with the results and propeties of paint EVERYTIME, and have been impressed with the durability of my gelocoat, which takes a hell of alot of abuse EVERYTIME.

As for old gelcoat being in need of paint...see mainesail's "buff magic" thread.

Anyway, just my worthless opinion.
Keith

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Keith said, "...

Keith said, "All I can say is I have have been dissapointed with the results and propeties of paint EVERYTIME, and have been impressed with the durability of my gelocoat, which takes a hell of alot of abuse EVERYTIME."

Keith I gave you the web site with the repair gel coat in a spray container. I use "Evercoat" gel coat the kind that does not need the wax coat. It can be tinted with the pigments that I got from the site that I posted on this forum in the past.

If you like gel coat then use gel coat.

Gel coat is really like thick paint. And it can be finely sanded and buffed to a high polished look.

Now when you paint a boat there are two kinds that look good. But they must be applied with special equipment and by guys who know how to apply them. They are Imron(sp) and Awlgrip.

I visited a 35 foot Hunter just painted with Imron Blue. I did not know it was Imron Blue but as I saw the paint job, I said, "Wow, looks like Imron Blue".

And up where Joe lives, I saw a boat just painted with Awlgrip Red at "Cape Cod Shipyard." That painted boat looked like what the owner expected, awsome red. And the guys at the yard liked it too.

So, if you want your boat to look good, paint can look good. And, when polished Gel Coat can look good. But it sounds like you need to go sailing...
and methinks your boat will do that fine...

Ed K
26
Addendum, in the meantime, laugh a little:
http://tinyurl.com/mggb68

My freshly and carefully mounted port chainplate leaked like a sieve with the rain. I took it apart and the forward surface of the chainplate was too close to the rectangular opening to allow any caulk in. I believe that it would help to bevel the top of that opening in much the same fashion as we do round holes for bolts. I will post the results.

As i was disassembleing said chainplate, I was disappointed in how easily the 3m 4200 caulk came off the surface of the chainplate, as well as the deck (which is painted in that area). The surfaces were carefully cleaned a prepped with acetone. I even sanded the deck a little to increase adhesion. When I removed the caulk from the deck some of the paint came up with it. I have not had the adhesion problems in areas where caulk was applied to gelcoat.

Which brings up another conclusion: Paint on a boat is a bad idea. Folks who have followed my post know how much trouble i had with paint adhesion to my repaired deck areas (with epoxy). Some areas were done three times. I consulted factory, net, etc. I am a stickler for details (although i did screw up the first time by not thinning the primer properly to specs). All I can say is I have have been dissapointed with the results and propeties of paint EVERYTIME, and have been impressed with the durability of my gelocoat, which takes a hell of alot of abuse EVERYTIME.

As for old gelcoat being in need of paint...see mainesail's "buff magic" thread.

Anyway, just my worthless opinion.
Keith

 

[emergpa1]

Re: Keith said, "...

Amen to that Ed.

 

[emergpa1]

Amen to that Ed.

Installed the steps today. Poured thickened epoxy into the busted area where the aftmost machine screw of the forward stay chainplate attaches. Deck needed little repair, just filled with epoxy after plugging holes in the inner skin. Tomorrow will drill, and attach the forward stay chainplate.
Also today made the inserts for the bilge cover/floorboards. I'll post a pic when i get it finished, along with the way i covered the edge of the carpet where it meets the main bulkhead. With the correction of the leaky chainplates, and the re-attachment of the three travelers. (I am awaiting a shipment of machine screws) I should be ready to re-rig.That will require some self education. I will also want to wire but may wait until after I splash.
Keith