1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Thanks EZ, I've checked around but people are wanting too much for them. Oh well.

Jas, yeah can't wait! Haha I have actually been wearing shorts this winter, call me crazy but when we hit 32 I will be out sunbathing.

I've decided I am going to get an el cheapo portable electric heater, something to warm up the hull a bit. If I come accross a propane one I'll get that then. Tires are still a spinnin over here .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Do you by any chance have 240V in your garage? Or is your fuse panel in your garage? Cuz I got one of these pretty cheap from Northern Tools (or something like that) and it worked awesome.

Otherwise I'd be ordering a propane heater or making lower offers to some of the CL sellers. Anything 120V just isn't going to do it. Trust me.

 

[LonLB]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I have only used the stripper in cold temps, but I'm guessing it will do much better when warmer. The can (KLEEN STRIP) says it works best in 65-85 degrees.
I used my BIL's kerosene salamander type heater last weekend and it works pretty good, so keep that in mind if you look on Craigslist.

Those 40 degree temps are going to be AWESOME...

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

EZ, I remember you linking me to that. I don't have 220v out in the garage, and I didn't get anyone to run it because it is not attached to the house and probally would have needed to dig up ground. Otherwise I was going to get that. You're right a 110v heater won't do much at all. But I have found a soloution .

Lon, the stripper definatally works better in higher temps. From what I can tell anyways. Thanks for the suggestions. And yes the 40degree temps are going to be sweet.

So I went to Harbor Freight, and was originally going to pick up an el cheapo electric heater. I stumbled upon this guy.
http://www.harborfreight.com/15000-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67857.html

Works great, and heats up everything pretty quickly. It was also cheaper. I have it under the boat and it heats it up and the stripper works better. Just make sure you always check to make sure fumes aren't bad, and keep a door open a bit. It probally isn't that great of an idea, but it works I guess. So that problem is solved, I will still keep my eyes peeled for a forced air heater, but this one sure cuts the cold.

And here is how the paint stripping process is going. It sure seems like it is going amazingly slow... But I will still upload pics.

So I'm getting there. I think a powerwash would help knock off a bit more, so mabe soon.

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Ok guys. I have no idea what I am doing wrong, but it seems like taking off all of this paint is taking way too long. I am about to just sand everything and smooth it out and zinc chromate the bare aluminium and paint. I've gotten off some of the really bad areas, but it really doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Any tips?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Yah, I was eyeballin your last photos there...

Man, what a grunt of a job!!!

I can't help but think your rig might be a good candidate for a soda blast job. You might be spending the same amount on stripper and/or sand paper to get that hull to bare metal. Never mind the amount of work you would put into it. Worth thinking about anyway.

Cheers!

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Thanks Jas, I was thinking that earlier while reading some other threads. It is a pain, lots of gunked up paint, some places almost 1/4inch thick.

Made a decision right after I posted that I would sand most and just get everything smooth with a low grit. Then I will go back over it again with some 200g and make it ready for paint. If paint falls off, oh well, just do a quick touch up, it's all on the bottom anyways. I will power wash before painting to try to get anything real loose stuff off.

So no nice shiny looking hull, but it will work. If I need to redo it all sometime then I will probably spring for a soda blaster and do it the right way. Right now I have the port bottom half done. Need to go out and get some more sandpaper to do the starboard side.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I told ya not to put so much effort into the bottom!

Ok well maybe that was someone else (I just tried to find my post without success). Well anyway, when the boat is upside down it seems like the bottom is very prominent but it isn't. My bottom is currently experiencing absolutely catastrophic paint falling off issues and ya know what? You can't really see it. Sand it smooth-ish and be done with it.

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Just keep this in mind as you're working......no one will really ever see the underside Heck, my paint is falling off in huge swaths right now from my bottom, and you can't really tell. So don't bust your butt TOO much

Here EZ, you told me . And I am going to listen now. Had to think about it and experience the pain of too much scraping and brushing to realize it.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I was just saying to another fella in the brohood...

Paint prep/sanding is my 2nd least favorite job to do.

1st is wire wheeling rust off a trailer, by a long shot!

Keep on keeping on

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I agree! My right side of my body hurts a ton, and my wrist is even worse. It will look good in the end though.

As for wire wheeling the trailer that's next in line .

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

As for wire wheeling the trailer that's next in line .

Ah, your trailer looks great! I'd go ahead and just knock off any loose stuff and Rusto whatever color you like, no sweat!

Dood, mine was a total rust bucket...

It looks like you have a much easier road my friend

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I guess I like to make things harder than they are. I guess I won't be doing that much wire wheeling on the trailer. Yours turned out great, and I kinda like the white, but may want to keep it blue to match the boat. Hmmmm choices, choices.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

That "GRAY GUNK" on your hull is probably GLUVIT. Almost ALL Tin boat guys use it to seal their keels and bottom rivets to ensure they don't leak. Some do a better job than others making it look nice. It is an epoxy product and does NOT lend itself to removal very well. My advice is to sand it and feather it as best you can and leave it. As for the Paint removal EZ is correctamundo!!!! No one will see it cept you. Sand and feather, Zinc it, Roll and Tip it, and GO FISHIN. But..... That's just me!!!!!!

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I thought that that gray stuff was jbweld or some kind of patch stuff. Whatever it is it is a pain to get off. I just sanded the bottom side like you said Wood. I feathered everything in and it looks pretty good. Very smooth actually now. Tomorrow I will work on the rest of the hull with the 100g. Then pound rivets, and wash. Then paint time!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Sounds like a plan. I bet after primer it will look great.

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Well today I sanded down the upper part. Not too much as the paint is still really nice in this area, and it is a good base (less work). I only got the starboard side done, and I'm taking a break from everything. It's getting there.

I also traced one of the stripes onto some wax paper. I will measure this and put it into the computer and make a computer version of the stripe. Then I can get it cut out in vinyl at school, and it will make things a ton easier when it comes to paint. I'm really looking forward to seeing how these come out. Should be neat!

Last thing I messed around with is the air chisel/rivet gun. I made my bit with my dremel grinder and it looks good. I just need to cut down the rivets a bit because smart me ordered ones a bit too long... It does work well, and I have tested it on scrap aluminium. I think it will work just fine.

The weather is great out there, it smells like spring! Only thing is I won't be able to do much this week, when the temp will be in the 50's .

 

[djpeters]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Yeah, those soft alloy aluminum rivets are not that hard to do are they? I did a few more this weekend on my boat hull.

 

[lakeorbay]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

I came late to this one, but I have to say you picked a really nice boat. I think some other Starcraft owners might be a tad jealous, but love their own I'm sure. I'm looking forward to catching up on your resto and following your progress. Good luck.

 

[boatguy94]

Re: 1978 16' Starcraft SuperSport Resto

Thanks lakeorbay, the funny thing is the boat really found me then I just fell in love with it at first sight. Thanks for coming on by, I truely have no idea what I'm doing on this resto . Glad that there is tons of great help around here!

Yeah Dj, they really aren't bad at all. Just need to do some fine tuning on the gun, and chop them a bit for some areas. Thanks for all your help in that area.