Thanks jig...I'm just trying to do half as good as you boys! Psycho-as you can see in the first pic, 2 coats of white didn't even come close to covering. I did thin the gel with styrene at about 10%. I used the white kinda like a primer, knowing that the gray would cover better after. I surely could have stopped at the 2 plus 2 mark, but needed to add the sand, which by the way Sam, was just common beach sand. Had my helpers been there earlier in the day, probably would have added the sand after the first coat of gray, then top with a couple, but I'm just winging it. I have no proof that this method is going to be successful in the long run. My son tried Kiwi Grip in his last build and at $70 a quart, I was not impressed nor have I been since his splash. Don't think it holds up well at all. He later used the sand method on some wood flooring inserts he custom made for his little 14' polarcraft aluminum, which you can often see in the background of some of the pics on this thread. He had already tried the resin only and we now know that doesn't stand up to weather for long. He ground it down, used/experimented with the gel/sand and it has held up nicely for a couple of years. In addition, this boat sits out in direct Florida sun, at all times. I figured it's worth a shot...and saved me some moolah, too! The worse that can happen, if it doesn't hold up....I'll grind it off and lay it or something else again. I know the structure of the boat will hold...just trying to protect it from the outside and make it look like something I can be proud of. I guess I can be the guinea pig/pioneer of this method and like most crash test dummies...offer another option..if it works. The one thing that does concern me is the likelihood of staining. Sam and I have discussed this before. It seems rolled on gel stains quite easily and I have yet to figure out how to seal it to prevent this. Hey, like I said...things could be worse...as long as it's fish slime/blood that is doin' the staining!
...like, yeah, look who's talkin...
that's as far as she bends.
Like Christmas in July! Well, I sure this will look better out of the package and on my keel, but I'm gonna wait another week before I even think about putting it on. Maybe I'll do the scuffbuster on the bow mid-week so I feel like I'm cheating...I hope you all are either working on, fishing in, or snorkeling under your boats this wknd!! Be safe..................
Waited for son and girlfriend to join in as high temps would make it difficult for me to roll and sprinkle without kick occurring. Next layer of gray, followed by sand
Finally, after blowing off & vacuuming out excess sand, last 2 coats of gray with wax
. I am fairly satisfied with the end result. As before mentioned, still a few imperfections, but I hope to have the deck so covered in fish blood/guts that they will remain invisible....to me at least. The edges turned out good, nice hard lines with few imperfections. Off the next couple of days so gonna get back at it. Our mutual good iboats buddy, almincha sent me a birthday present, a day late, but very much appreciated. I have a bow light that I will begin some work on tomorrow, working on either the possibility of a shine or ready for paint of some sort. Might also try to get the keel guard on over next few days. Good to be back to work on it. Need to harass my buddy about the transom plate so I can get the engine on. Then busy on those seats. His time frame doesn't seem to be coinciding with mine. More as I make some progress. Happy almost Fri-der-day!!
