1979 Grady Cabin

larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
I have a 1979 Grady Weekender that I am restoring. The cabin is lined with the 1970's carpet. When the carpet was removed there is a wooden structure covered in raw fiberglass. Where the ceiling meets the cabin walls there are voids that are approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inches deep and the ceiling is uneven.

Please give me some suggestions on how to make the ceiling smooth. Would attaching foam board or composite material be the way to go? I have a 1.5 gallon of system 3 however it does not seem like a good idea to fill the deep holes with it.

Please advise,
LB
 
B

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

Pics would be great. But typically it's fairly common for there to be some "uneven-ness" around the deck/hull joint on the interior. Shouldn't be too much of an issue, but without pics I can't say for sure.

Post some up so we can see what you see.... generally speaking manufacturers use sheet material (thin ply) to cover up and smooth out these oo-boo's to give a nice curvature...
 
larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

I will get the pics tonight. What kind of thin ply material would you use. If I can cut a sheet and epoxy it in place then I could fair up the seams and paint it. No more carpet, that is for sure.
 
chriscraft254

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

I am also going to be stripping my carpet from the interior of my cabin. The plan is to smooth the fiberglass out a little with a rotary sander and then roll over it with kiwigrip. It is a non skid but really adheres well and looks great. It rolls on and is easy to apply, plus no fumes really because it is water based. Don't know if thats an option for you, but just thought I would mention it.

As far as the wood to use, should be able to buy some 1/2" Marine ply. Are you getting moisture in from the cap?
 
larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

No moisture.

I am going to try to send these pictures.
LB
 
chriscraft254

chriscraft254

Commander
Joined
Jun 4, 2011
Messages
2,445
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

Can not see your pics. easiest to start a free photobucket account and just cut and paste img code.
 
larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

Thank you. I'm new to this and appreciate any help.

LB
 
larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

I will be sending new pics.
 

Attachments

  • PICT0023.jpg
    PICT0023.jpg
    55.8 KB · Views: 0
  • PICT0024.jpg
    PICT0024.jpg
    47.4 KB · Views: 0
  • PICT0025.jpg
    PICT0025.jpg
    54.1 KB · Views: 0
  • PICT0026.jpg
    PICT0026.jpg
    54.8 KB · Views: 0
  • PICT0027.jpg
    PICT0027.jpg
    37 KB · Views: 0
larry1592

larry1592

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
36
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

I found a place that has balsa core for $13.00 a sheet. I ordered 3/8 inch and am going to attach it to the ceiling and then fair it in. I think it will look good and will take care of filling in the voids in the original fiberglass. I guess that attaching it with epoxy is the best way. Has anyone used 5200 to attach it to the ceiling?

Thanks
LB
 
B

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

larry1592 said:
I found a place that has balsa core for $13.00 a sheet. I ordered 3/8 inch and am going to attach it to the ceiling and then fair it in. I think it will look good and will take care of filling in the voids in the original fiberglass. I guess that attaching it with epoxy is the best way. Has anyone used 5200 to attach it to the ceiling? LB
Click to expand...

Is the balsa already perforated / sliced or a solid sheet? Balsa is typically meant to be completely saturated with a catalyzed resin, not left dry so much. The balsa by itself doesn't have much strength to it (holding screws) and will easily compress if there is anything thru-bolted. Also, anything that you go over-top of it with (paint, fairing, etc) is going to get sucked dry. Balsa is typically end-grain cut for the purpose of pulling in resin (which is what gives it a high strength to weight ratio when cured)...

Honestly I've never tried it with this kind of application, but gut feeling makes me wonder a bit :confused:. Maybe someone else on the forum has tried this and can pipe in...

I definitely would not use 5200 to secure it; maybe thickened epoxy?
 
produceguy

produceguy

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 30, 2010
Messages
1,243
Re: 1979 Grady Cabin

Your pics seem really dark and hard to see to me. Maybe it's just me.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top