1959 Almumacraft questions on clean up and motor size

[Sean Haines]

Good morning everyone,

So my wife inherited her grandfathers 14' Almumacraft fishing boat. This boat has a tremendous amount of sentimental value to her and her family with her grandfather using it everyday for years to run around on the little lakes with them.

The seats were rotted and years and layers of paint on the inside were pealing.

I am closing in on completed the seats and have stripped and redone the paint on the inside along with picking up and putting her on a new trailer last night.

I am now at a cross roads here on a few things. The boats original tag says its rated for a 15HP motor. I almost purchased the Mercury 15 yesterday while I was picking up the trailer but decided to wait and get some input.

Understanding that a 4 stroke is heavier than a 2 stoke what is your thoughts on the boat being able to handle the 15hp Merc?

Also, You will notice in the pictures the outside has been cleaned but I now need to make it uniform. I am not looking for the mirror finish but just a uniform look. Any ideas on what a person could do to clean up that metal? Buffing is painful, I was wondering if I used a very very fine grit sand paper?

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated! I would like to get a motor on her before next weekend and then reveal it to her and the family.

Sean

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1959 Almumacraft questions on clean up and motor size

A scotch-bright pad would do the trick. Check out my 52 Duracraft restore (link at bottom of signature), and look at my early pictures of the sides, that is what I used. The more resent pictures have streaks and spots I have test polished on, but when first done it's very uniform.

 

[Sean Haines]

Re: 1959 Almumacraft questions on clean up and motor size

Wow that is a outstanding looking restore!

So on the scotch pads you used, Did you just use soap and water for lubrication while doing it? Also I am going to head out and pick some up, Did you use the white or the green? I know one is more course than the other.

And one last question, Did you have to put a wax or sealant on it after you were done? I have read in a few spots that they oxidize quickly?

Thanks a ton for reply! I read a artical about using the scotch bright pads but had not seen any pictures of it.

Sean

 

[m casey stock]

Re: 1959 Almumacraft questions on clean up and motor size

Yes, soapy water would do well for you. I used the green pad, but with spray on aircraft paint stripper from advanced auto parts, because I was trying to get the last bit of paint off the mid sections on the sides. I think that the white ones are the finest and might work better for you. I mostly use the maroon or green ones for automotive paint applications and our local automotive parts supply stores don't even carry the white ones. As far as sealing, I haven't sealed mine yet because I plan on polishing the sides, (with mother's mag wheel polish) but when it's done I'm going to try the shark hide product. I've seen a lot of write ups and commercials about it and it sounds like a good product but I've not tried it yet.