1960 Luger Matador Restoration

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

WoodonGlass The Pettit stain is oil base, I checked with Raka, which is the epoxy I'm using and they said they have had great adhesion over the Pettit stain after a thorough week of cure time. I plan to give extra just to be sure. I will be painting the bottom after the epoxy has dried. The Interlux paints well over a Pettit stain after a good cure time again. Seems everything I keep reading and all the companies I talk to just state the stain just really needs to be cured. No rushing that one. I do plan on capping the ends of the chines, and then will be adding the mahogany strips over the transom also. Figured that would give me something to do while I wait on the stain to cure. I thought about painting and glassing the bottom first, but with all the rubbing in of the stain I knew I would get some on the new WHITE paint so I decided to do them a little out of order. I just wanted to make sure Interlux would paint over Pettit first.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Painting is normally done first and then taped off. The stain will not penetrate the paint usually. But either way works. A week is good but 2 is better. I'd recommend wiping down the bare plywood with acetone prior to painting to make sure the primer adheres to the bare wood properly when you do the paint work. I would also recommend a good day or two in Direct sunlight before doing any epoxy work on the stained wood. Some going over with a heat gun wouldn't hurt either, just don't stay in one spot to long. What about the strake pieces? Any thoughts on those?

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

So just as a quick update... I didn't like the way the stain ended up, so I have been sanding it off. And will be sanding down to a finer grit to tighten the pores on the wood and hopefully lighten the stain and remove some of the sanding marks that were still left behind. More pics to follow when I have something to show.

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

So I finally have some time to put an update on here, I just couldn't obtain a finish I liked with the Pettit stains...More than likely my fault as I have heard nothing but good things about them. But I could'nt get mine to look even. So I went online searching for other options. There is a built boat, A Glen L Riviera built by a gentlemen named David Lott, he did an amazing job on this boat!! Google Glen L Midnight cry and watch his build on youtube. Just stunning work!! Well I began reading his build page and found he sanded all the way to 220 grit hand sanded and then used Minwax water based stains. I decided if it was what he used on that masterpiece I'm going to give it a shot.

I sanded to the 220 grit hand sanding the last few grits, the 150, 180 and 220. And also removed all the pettit stain in the process. I then laid down the Minwax Mahogany stain, and am very pleased with it. It went down evenly and without any problems I laid two coats and sanded between the coats with the 220 grit. I then drew on a 4" line that I'm going to stop the bottom white paint with,then taped off the line and laid down the paper.

I'm using 10oz fiberglass cloth and Raka epoxy, which laid down nicely I had the Pretty Lady mixing epoxy as I worked it in with a plastic spatula and a foam roller. I'm letting it dry and then will be painting the bottom side white. Heres some pics to keep you all satisfied.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Looks good, congrats

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

So heres where I'm at since my last post. I ended up using the Minwax mahogany stain and put on a couple coats. I was really surprised how nice this stuff is. It gave it a very nice reddish brown which is exactly what I was looking for. I have laid down 4oz cloth on the sides and epoxied the cloth down after allowing the stain a week to dry even though it is water based, I didn't want any chances. I was slightly nervous about putting down cloth, I know a ton of people have done it but I was worried you would still see it. And thankfully my worries were gone as soon as I started laying epoxy over it, it completely dissapeared! I will be rolling on another coat of epoxy over the sides. I have been on the hunt for which varnish to use over my epoxy. Of course Pettit flagship, and epiphanes would be a great choice. Raka has some varnish called lastnlast has any one used this or have expierence with it? It's substantially cheaper than the other two, but we all know what that could also mean. So any advice on varnish would be helpful, thank you! And of course heres some more pics for yall!! LOL

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

I'm really partial to the Epiphanes. A heat gun on the epoxy will help with the airbubbles!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Thank you!! They actually have settled pretty much right out of it... But I will keep that in mind for the top side. Thank you! With your experience with epiphanes my 14' boat the sides and deck included whats a rough guesstimate of how much I would need to get, say maybe to do 4 coats with? No yellowing from the epiphanes when you have used it?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Epiphanes will not yellow. I'd buy a Gallon. I'd thin the first 2 coats 20% and then apply the rest full strength. Thin with a 50/50 mix of Acetone and Mineral Spirits.

If you want to save some money, this stuff is pretty darn good...

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Thanks for the info! I have heard a couple other posts about the man o war I haven't found a supplier yet. But it's a thought, thanks!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Sorry about the lack of updates, but I have been very busy with work and have not done a ton of work on the boat, at least nothing photograph worthy. I did however pick up a donor boat. it's a 1958 glasspar, I will be taking the engine, stearing dash euipment some of the trim pieces and the trailer. Kind of a shame to destroy this classic boat... but I like my woody better heres a few pics of the Donor boat.

View attachment 199308View attachment 199309View attachment 199310View attachment 199311

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Pics did not post

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration



Lets try this again...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

That is a Nice Donor! I really like the nose piece. If you decide you don't have a use for it, I'd be happy to take it off your hands!!!Stern Pole light too!!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

So I finally have something picture worthy!! I have been doing nothing but epoxy coat, wait 24hrs more epoxy and so on. I have 10 coats of epoxy on the hull. And it looks nice! Gives it a lot of depth and what I feel will be a very tough surface. Well after allowing a few days for the last coat of epoxy to completely dry, I was able to lay down my bottom paint. I used pettits top side paint, yes I know it's on the bottom but this boat will never sit at a dock and anti fouling paint I just felt wasn't necessary. I used the electric blue, I was hoping for a little deeper blue but I still think it looks sharp. So as promised heres a few more pics. I still have another couple coats of the blue to lay down before Im finished. And can finally flip it!!!!!!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

And yes woodonglass I have plans for that nose piece if it fits! If not its all yours or any other pieces I can't use and you want, you just let me know where to send em!! Have a great weekend!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Man FJ, that has to be the nicest donor boat EVER:

I think that steering wheel is a pricey find all on it's own, the hardware too.
The 35hp headed to the Luger too?

All looks great w/ the hull, nice work!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

Buy some Black Pettit and mix 1/4 cup of Black per cup of blue and I bet you'll get the shade of blue you're looking for. You bet I'll take all the Hardware you don't want. Let me know when you're sure of what you're NOT gunna be using and I'll PM you my info. What Varnish did you decide on? Boat is looking NICE!!!!!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

My plans are to use as much from the donor boat as possible, and yes that 35hp was the main reason for the purchase!! I love the looks of the engine. It's a 1958 and has a fuel pump and a 12 volt charging system, so all the modern updates but has a sweet vintage look! I ended up buying a gallon of epiphanes for my varnish. I really gave some serious thought to the man o war. I even found a store in my area that could order me a gallon. I just wanted the tried and true advantage of epiphanes. The blue got a bit darker after drying. So Im happy with it now. I did a second coat today, stripped down the trailer and am wire wheeling it now. More pics in a day or so!!

 

[FJ_Russo]

Re: 1960 Luger Matador Restoration

So I have a question for the experts out there. I'm currently sanding my epoxy with 150, then going to 220. After that its clean up and varnish time. My question is should I leave the blue tape on and end my varnish at the blue paint or varnish the entire side of the boat including the 4" or so of blue paint? Also one more question, I ordered my vinyl gold fleck lettering for the boat name today. I know it used to be practice to varnish over true gold fleck, but do you need to varnish over vinyl lettering? Thank guys the help is always much appreciated!!!