1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Jim Hawkins

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I'm refinishing the inside of my 1964 MFG. I have sanded the sides and believe the turquoise colored finish on the sides was paint and not gelcoat. It sanded off very easily. For ease I want to repaint the sides the original color possibly a 1 part polyurethane.

mfg paint.jpg

The deck however, I believe is White Gelcoat and I plan to redo it with fresh white gelcoat using brush and roller. I really like the texture on the deck and don't want to diminish it so I'm not sure how to go about prepping it for the new Gelcoat. I don't want the sanding to smooth out the texture and don't want the Gelcoat to fill in too much of the pattern.

What have you other MFG owners done?
 

sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Jim , I have done exactly what you are wanting to do on my Edinboro .I started with the gell on the deck on page 66, 67 0n my thread .http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...g-rebuild-getting-started-pics-523969-66.html
I rolled I think 3 coats of gell on . Just when it started to set a bit I used a texture roller to help keep the factory texture . It worked pretty well I think . I used gell with wax already in it so I had to sand after every coat . The only setback is I have not yet sealed the gell with anything so it will stain fairly easily . Before I am set and done I think I may try something different .
Btw , do yourself a big favor and make some weep holes in that duck pond under the bow area . You know what I,m talking about . :laugh: The best thing I have done by a long shot . Water does not collect there at all now . You can see how I did it a few pages before the deck gell .
Good luck can't wait to see haw it turns out !
 

Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Thanks for the reply sphelps, let me explain where I am.

I'm selling the boat, and I want it to look nice but not showroom condition. I want to keep the work simple, but I don't want to cover it up with shoddy work that the new owner won't know about until later. I want to do a good but limited job.

I think any good topside paint will do for the sides assuming I sand and clean before painting.

As for the Gelcoat Deck, I want to avoid multiple coats and sanding. My thought was that since there is already white gelcoat on the deck that as long as I made the surface, (whats the word) conformable, uh, acceptable, no, Receptive, yeah receptive to the new Gelcoat that all I would need was a single, possibly thinned refresher coat.

So I was wondering, short of sanding, what could I do to old Gelcoat to make it bond correctly to the new. I'm thinking more along the lines of a very stiff scrub brush and acetone, maybe a little loose sand or borax thrown in for abrasion?

I am trying to be cheap but not to the point of leaving the new owner with a problem. If he wants to add more layers of Gelcoat then he will be able to.

BTW I have read a lot of your terrific rebuild thread but there's a lot of info there and my attention span is so small. I don't think I have made it all the way through yet.

PS, great advice on the Duck Pond, never even occurred to me.
 
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sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

I picked up a gal of white gell for 60 bucks . You might get away with just a qt for 1 coat . I cleaned with some tsp before and after I hit it with a wire brush . I may have sanded it also . It's been a while I can't remember all my steps . Give it a real good acetone bath before the gell . I just used Valspar tractor implement oil based enamel with the enamel hardener added . Tractor Supply Store carries the Majic brand now and it will work just as good .
Hey seeing as your getting rid of her I have a nice painted steering wheel I'll trade ya for that original wheel . :joyous:

Hey Woody ! Jim's boat would be a good candidate for your WOG project . Lap strake with all glass stringers and deck .. :eyebrows:

Btw , I had to mix my paint to get the color I wanted . I got the formula written down . Might have to tweak it to match what you want though .
 
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Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

I'm confused. I lost you somewhere between the white Gelcoat, Valspar enamel and Tractor brand. Did you paint your deck or Gelcoat it?

I'll hold onto the wheel for you if a buyer doesn't want it. The wheel has some cracks but is still solid. Also, it's the original wheel but I did paint it.
I have the original seats also but have newer back to backs to go in as the originals need a complete redo. Same thing, if a buyer doesn't want them I'll get them to someone who needs them.

I'm leery about using a wire brush on anything that will get doused with salt water. I'm googling TSP...ah, Trisodium phosphate looks like good stuff for degreasing.

There is a paint store in Daytona where I buy gelcoat, $17 a quart and they color matched it perfect for my boat #5 which seems to be the identical color as the MFG. They can tint other paints also.
 

sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Painted the gunwales and gell coated the deck .
Not sure if the original wheel will work with my teleflex hub .
Do ya have the hinges for the seats ? Fun and Sun seating is what they called the original seats.
 

Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

I have 3 seats w/ all hardware and all 3 seat bases
 

sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

I am interested in those if you want to get rid of them . The hardware is what I need . The hinges I fabbed up for mine are not heavy duty enough . I'll send you a pm this afternoon when I get home .
Thanks . SP..
 

Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Got it Samuel,

I'm going to try some experimenting with some very rough scrubbing, degreasing and wiping down with acetone, then try a test spot under the splash guard. That's my best idea.

Another thought, Some paint stripper will take off gelcoat so maybe paint stripper washed off before it goes to far would prep the surface?
 
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Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Did a little more research. You already gave me the solution and I didn't get it. When I looked up TSP it said it was a degreaser but tonight I also read that it will etch the surface. So that's my plan. Sorry I didn't realize it right away but I'm not the sharpest pencil in the litter.

Thanks again SP
 

jbcurt00

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Sorry I didn't realize it right away but I'm not the sharpest pencil in the litter.
Perhaps that's the problem, you need a new pencil keeper ^^^
:puke:

SP will help ya get it figured out.
 

sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Now I remember I did not use a reg wire brush to clean the deck . I used a stainless steel cup wheel on my cordless drill . Kinda lightly going over it to get down in the textured grooves .. So far the gell I have rolled down has stayed down very well no flaking or chipping . If you just lay down one coat make sure you add the wax or get the pre waxed added gell . PVA is also used to help in curing the gell if needed .
 

Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

JB I think you hit the nail on the head.

SP I checked with the local Home Depot and they have the TSP. I'm going to use a very stiff bristle brush and the TSP. If it doesn't look dull enough I may sprinkle a little loose sand in with it and continue scrubbing, working the bristles straight down into the recesses. I have read all the warnings about rinsing the TSP off completely. The Gel has wax so no problem and I may thin it just a little with styrene to try to keep the gel from filling the voids.

Thanks again.

Yes, yes, of course I'll post pics.
 
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jbcurt00

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

If that ^^^ doesn't work, a soft brass bristle brush may be enough w/ out being too much
 

Jim Hawkins

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Well SP, JB, thanks for your help. The work is done. On the sides I used an acrylic enamel paint from an auto paint store color matched to a chip I got under the bow. The paint under the bow was not sun faded so the color is a little dark but I assume very close to original.

For the deck, three scrubs with TSP and then white gelcoat put on with a brush and small foam roller. Funny thing, 10 minutes into gelcoating my anxieties went away and 15 minutes in I started having fun. Gelcoating with a roller, no one told me it could be fun.

Well, it's been a wonderful boat but I have 6 boats in my yard and all kinds of ideas for projects and, well...

So it's on craigslist. I don't know if I priced it high or low but the market will tell me.

Classic lapstrake 1964 MFG

Thanks again fellas

PS notice the ad doesn't say anything about the original seats being available.
 
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sphelps

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Re: 1960's MFG Owners - Paint question

Turned out great Jim ! Nice and clean ! Hopefully someone will snatch it up and give her a good home .. :cool:
 
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