1978 River Ox Restoration Project

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

Here is a before-photo of the deck, prior to tabbing, glassing, and all.

 

GT1000000

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
4,916
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

Nice progress, GF...
You have reached an awesome milestone and it looks great...
You can contact the manufacturer of the gel coat directly, or ask at the place you bought it, if they have the correct type of I believe it is a polyester based tint...
You can get your choice of what is available and tint away...
Make sure you do a little experimenting first with some small batches, until you come up with a 'formula' you like...
 

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

Thanks GT! I can tell you that it feels AMAZING hitting this point in the resto. I'm pretty sure after today that I'm going to forgo the color matching w the gelcoat. Had a nice long conversation with my regular "consultant" at the marine shop. Would be too much $$ and time to do. I know that is a weird concern to have this late in the resto... But ill be ok with it.
I do wonder about the console though... I'd love to re-gelcoat it to match the deck color. Any good advice on that? I'd want to make sure it has a nice finish like the one now, just not familiar w the process to get to that point.
 

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

I'm looking for a nice way to add some texture for the deck... I know there are diff methods out there to make it non slip, like adding sand or going back over it with the roller when it's tacky to get an orange-peel kinda texture... But I'm wondering if there are any pro tips or lessons learned with this... All info is appreciated.
 

GT1000000

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
4,916
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

I'm looking for a nice way to add some texture for the deck... I know there are diff methods out there to make it non slip, like adding sand or going back over it with the roller when it's tacky to get an orange-peel kinda texture... But I'm wondering if there are any pro tips or lessons learned with this... All info is appreciated.
So far, I am personally leaning towards "Durabak"...probably change my mind a zillion times between now and then, tho...
It is similar to a "Rhinolining", just doesn't seem as rough...you can also make it smoother if you like by applying the same stuff over it, but without the grit in it...
The other methods you mentioned will work, too...just a little harder to control...maybe do some practice panels...

Thanks GT! I can tell you that it feels AMAZING hitting this point in the resto. I'm pretty sure after today that I'm going to forgo the color matching w the gelcoat. Had a nice long conversation with my regular "consultant" at the marine shop. Would be too much $$ and time to do. I know that is a weird concern to have this late in the resto... But ill be ok with it.
I do wonder about the console though... I'd love to re-gelcoat it to match the deck color. Any good advice on that? I'd want to make sure it has a nice finish like the one now, just not familiar w the process to get to that point.

I don't know too much about gel coat, but I believe you only have to rough up the surface with either 80 or 120 grit, wipe down real well with Acetone and re-coat...if anything, check this link, it is not exactly what you are looking for, but it might have some useful info... http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...tress-cracks-diy-step-step-w-pics-320724.html
...or you could PM Yacht Dr. and ask him.
 

jbcurt00

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 25, 2011
Messages
25,113
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

I do wonder about the console though... I'd love to re-gelcoat it to match the deck color. Any good advice on that? I'd want to make sure it has a nice finish like the one now, just not familiar w the process to get to that point.

If you really want the console to match the deck color, unless you pick a plain white or similar, it may be difficult to 'match' any deck color you choose in gel-coat. It isn't as easy as getting a quart of paint color matched at a paint store. Durabak is available in a few colors, but they likely won't be 'matched' by an off the shelf gel-coat...

But you might check w/ Durabak to see if they'll match a color sample you send them. I doubt the answer will be yes, but it will likely be expensive if it is available.

You can also check to see if the smooth Durabak is 'sprayable'. If it is, you might get a gallon of smooth (no texture) Durabak in whatever color you get of the anti-skid version. That will let you fine tune the amount of anti-slip texture on your deck & have enough smooth to shoot 2 + coats of it on your console, then it will color match the deck....

^^^ Starts w/ a visit to the Durabak website & some Q&A w/ their tech department...

BTW: It's listed as sprayable on their technical data spec page,

Also note that a gallon is listed as covering 50-60SqFt area, twice. Might need more then 1 gallon to coat the deck & the consoles though....
 

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

JB,
Thanks for the input. I'm not too worried about matching the color, as I would be using the same gelcoat on the console that I am using on the deck. I am just curious as to the surface prep, application, and finishing steps to get a nice and shiny finish on it when I am done. I'll look into the durabak you fellas spoke of, as it might be a good idea that will work perfectly.
 

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

Well... here is a quick update with a few more pics. I have completed all of the electrical wiring and have all of the necessary components running sub-deck up to the helm. I have the motor mounted on the transom. Which as it turns out, the motor was previously mounted about 2 inches to the right of center on the transom. I measured and placed it back dead center... This may have been a cause of why the boat planed so poorly and would never turn as it should... I will find out. I also have the Trim/Tilt hooked up and operating correctly, and now I am concentrating on the steering, which has been the biggest pain so far. It is difficult trying to push the steering rod through the motor mount and only goes in about 1/8" at a time. I was able to get a small pipe wrench on it and twist/turn/push and get it through quite a bit easier, but I still have about 3" to go before I can get it hooked up.
I have been spraying some Deep Creep into the cylinders the past few days, and plan on doing so until I get it ready to fire up... I need to replace the impeller and work on a nice sea-foam/2-stroke gas mix to run through it before I can call it G2G... Anyways, enough with my rambling... here are the pics of my "oh so close" work in progress.








 

gatorfan6908

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
149
Re: 1978 River Ox Restoration Project

You know... I have to ask. Even though it is silly to ask at this time... but what exactly is the best way to finish off the gelcoat I rolled on to the deck? I have left it somewhat textured from the rollers so it is semi non-skid. I know it is porous, and I want to know the best products available to seal it. Any input will be appreciated!
 
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