1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

I used Kleanstrip aircraft stripper. worked really well. I paid $46 a gallon with tax locally. It took 1 gallon to do both sides and the transom

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

I'm listing that product in my "Book o Knowlege". Thanks!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

So I've had some wild ideas running through my head lately. I'm thinking it would be pretty cool to have certain parts of the boat polished. I've been searching online and looking at pics and polished boats look pretty fricken sweet. So.....I got out the buffer and some mothers aluminum polish and tried it out. A buddy I work with who used to work on aircraft said they used Nuvite for the leading edges of aircraft and it's the "cats meow". Its pretty expensive but Im going to order some to try. It was overcast today so the pictures didnt turn out the greatest but I think you will get the drift.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Dood, that is totally awesome right there

I was yakking over on papa's thread about how cool the spiffed up alum looks on these big rigs. I really think like a hunter green lid over bare alum hull is the bomb. Or blue. Or red. I think it gives these boats a real utilitarian look to them.

I'd vote for it buddy!

 

[emoney]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Leaving parts polished will be really sharp. I was just imagining the blinding effect she'd have if you polished the whole boat. Other boaters would be running into each other from the glare. Looking good, and you never know, she might get wet this year.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Looking good, and you never know, she might get wet this year.

Ya, im not thnking so. Funds are pretty limited and time is to. Plus if I go the polished route that will take some time.

Dood, that is totally awesome right there

I was yakking over on papa's thread about how cool the spiffed up alum looks on these big rigs. I really think like a hunter green lid over bare alum hull is the bomb. Or blue. Or red. I think it gives these boats a real utilitarian look to them.

I'd vote for it buddy!

Ive had my mind set on blue now for awhile. At first I was thinking not to polish due to some scratches and stuff but those will end up there regardless if I paint or polish, Im diggin the polished look.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

So I was making a list of all the stuff I would need to polish out the aluminum. For polish, buffer and good supply of pads it would be over $400 So now im debating wether or not its worth the cost. I can paint the parts I want to polish for under $100.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

That does look mighty sweet. But then there is the yearly maintainence which might be a PITA. The hammer tone silver on my SS covered alot of sins and is holding up well.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Oooooooo, bummer BN. The costs didn't even cross my mind. I guess I would have thought quite the opposite by saving paint money ya know. Makes sense when you include the costs to make it and keep it shiny, eh.

The bottom feeder in me winces a little at those kinds of costs.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Ya i guess theres a price to pay for purdy things. Im still debating on it. My goal is something unique and that would fit the bill. Im a long way from paint anyway so i have time to decide.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

That polishing job sure looks nice I bet if you just leave a couple stripes like that on the bottom the fish would either just jump in the boat or knock themselves out and you could just go back and pick em up Just think how much you would save on downriggers, lures etc... Blue and silver worlds biggest little cleo

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

A polished aluminum Chieftain would be badass. Nice work so far.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

A polished aluminum Chieftain would be badass.

I have to agree with you there!. I was gonna play with the buffer and compound a little moe today but we've had 3 inches of rain in the last 24 hours . Not real favorable for buffing out aluminum. Have a great Friday guys!

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Well, not much progress to post. I swapped her over to a shorter trailer so it will fit into the garage. I also picked up a 91 galaxie boat with 4.3, alpha one that runs fantasic (I've had it on the water a couple times). Hoping to get back to work on it soon and get ready for paint.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Whatcha gonna do with that Galaxie short/long term??

(not to put ya on the spot or anything)

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

The galaxie is actually in pretty good shape. I figure it's gonna take a couple years to get the Chief done and when im ready to put motor in i'll break out the chainsaw just cause it looks like fun! Till then we will use it. I hate to leave a good motor sitting.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Ha! Yah baby! Yur speaking my language!!





(Heads up though, chainsaw is only fun for a couple of seconds. The chain dulls in a heartbeat. Grinder with a cutting wheel is the tool of choice)

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Ha! Yah baby! Yur speaking my language!!





(Heads up though, chainsaw is only fun for a couple of seconds. The chain dulls in a heartbeat. Grinder with a cutting wheel is the tool of choice)

Maybe a demolition saw would get the job done!!

 

[KellyC]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

Maybe a demolition saw would get the job done!!

A sawzall is good at it as well with an aggresive wood blade. That is what I used on the Apallo

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1972 Starcraft Chieftain restoration

So I had to run into Menards to grab some carpet for the Crestliner and found myself in the paint isle checking out the Rustoleum. Man I need to get going on this thing!!! Havn't had alot of time as we had a new baby on the 7th, plus working 12 hours a day, and then im not really motivated to work on it when its 90 degrees outside.
Anyways I was wondering if anyone has ever removed the "cap" from one of these. Seems pretty easy, drill out about 30 rivets and lift it off. The reason I'm thinking of this is to make it easier to flip to paint the bottom as my garage is pretty tiny. Of corse i would reinforce the hull as much as I could before doing this. I already have the complete rubrail off. I don't want to risk damaging the hull in any way so thought I would get some feedback from y'all. Have a great day everyone.