1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

To get rid of any traces of the corrosion so that it doesn't continue to chew on the aluminum

Then fill the pits so that there's no place for water to sit once you put it all back together & start using the boat.

It always sounds strange, esp on the glasser threads, it's a BOAT, and water is the enemy? Isn't it supposed to get wet??

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Fine wire wheel or some guys use the the nylox wheels to remove the corrosion down to clean aluminum. Then wipe down with vinegar cleaning solution. Once clean I skin over the pitting with marine tex and sand where needed. Then I shoot self etching primer and then regular primer on that before I put the transom wood in. The reason is simple, to kill the corrosion so it doesn't eat holes through the aluminum.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

It always sounds strange, esp on the glasser threads, it's a BOAT, and water is the enemy? Isn't it supposed to get wet??

Yes it does, but the water is supposed to stay on the outside. Right? And the white stuff was caused by water getting inside, rotting the transom wood and corroding the tin.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

yep ^^^

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

yep ^^^

That what always amazes me about the peeps who don't cover a boat. "Well, it is made to get wet isn't it?" Tin and glass both suffer the same. :blue:

 

[barato2]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

and it ain't just water damage....the UV is what fries interiors. cheaper to replace a sacrificial cover every few years than redo the interior.

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Got most of the gas out of the boat. Ended up that the barb was a little loose on the tank which I think might have been preventing the siphon to work. Tightened it up and success. Unfortunately the siphoning is painfully slow and life called while I was in the middle which forced me to stop. Looking at the tank, it looks to be held in place by two pieces of plywood at both ends of the tank. Same stuff the transom is made from. Should I be thinking of taking the tank out completely before flipping? Is draining the tank enough? Planning on replacing the hoses anyway.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Remove the tank before flipping the boat. Don't flip the boat until everything is completely stripped.

 

[barato2]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

second that. not least due to minimizing weight.

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Hey there, it has been a long time since I last posted. But I have made good progress. I have removed the gas from the tank, and the tank itself. Removed all the carpeting along the gunwale and was able to flip the boat today as well. So now ready to start sanding. Most of the paint is in decent shape but there are plenty of spots that have been scratched and chipped. I know I have banged a few rocks in the past (lake we fish on has some real elephants under the water floating around) and also looks like it was beached on some rocky shores in the past. So now I am looking for some info on the paint process. I am planning on using the Rusto. Please let me know if I am missing something.

1. Sanding whole boat with 220 grit to smooth scratches and scuff up paint.
2. Wash down whole boat and tack cloth dry. Heard something about vinegar wash in some of these posts. Needed??
3. Self Etch primer on bare spots.
4. Shoot 2 coats of primer (how long between Etch and primer??) Sanding with 3M pad between coats.
5. Final coat on boat. (probably need two coats).

I am sure that I am missing something, but it seems like a pretty good plan. Opinions and thoughts are always welcomed. Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Yep wash the whole thing down with Vinegar and water.

I usually wait about two hours after laying the SE primer.

I use two coats of Primer

and Three Top coats.


I am sure that two top coats would suffice however, I usually end up screwing things up when I am finishing the boat and laying down a 3rd.

]

This is scuffed to 220 tacked off cleaned with vinegar.

bare spots sprayed with SE primer

2 coats cleaned metal primer.

Each batch of paint

Mixed at 16 ounces, thinned 15% with Acetone, add 1 teaspoon of Magic brand hardener to each batch.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Sanding a boat with 2000+ rivets sounds like fun, I never had it so good. Normally my boats have at least 2 and sometimes 3 coats of crud someone thought was paint when they slathered it on. So I've had to strip my boats bare and start over from scratch.

For the wash down, I use the Heinz vinegar cleaning solution, it's stronger and you don't mix it. Just keep it out of your eyes and cuts because it stings a little. :heh:

I do 1 coat of SE on bare alum only, 1 coat of primer and 2 top coats of paint. My boats aren't trailer queens going to boat shows, they're like yours 'used' but way older than your almost new SC.

You can shoot the regular primer over the SE after it's dry to the touch, all depends on your weather condition in the garage as far as how long that is.

I've used rusto topside and tractor paint. I think the rusto is easier to work with and lays down better. Not sure why that is.

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

I was planning on using the rusto high performance enamel. Should I go for the topside instead? Was thinking about the $$$.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

I can't say about the rusto HP since I've not used it before. I also forgot to remind you to be sure and get some tack cloths for the wipe down before shooting.

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

What type of rusto did you use?? Have you had any issues when the boat sits in the water for a week or so?? My boat will not be in the water for longer than a week at a time. Just don't want to spend money on topside paint and have it bubble off because it is sitting in water.

I know guys use rusto, just can't seem to find out what kind they are using!!

*Side note... I know there are lots of posts on painting boats, paint types and stuff like that so if I am "breaking" forum rules by talking about it here please let me know. I realize there are lots of opinions out there. This is not a show boat, just want to put some lipstick on her.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

This is your resto thread and asking about painting isn't against any rules I know of.

The only sure thing to keep the bottom looking good without paint being beat up or peeling is to strip it and leave it bare. You can spend 100's on 2 part paints and take your chances just the same as topside. The 'AF bottom paint' is not an option either for tin boats moored a week or so in freshwater.

I know right now the bottom of the boat is in your face since she assumed the turtle position but really it's like worrying about the underside of your car looking shiny and new, nobody see's it when it's upright. I don't know of any tin restore threads you'll find where someone shot something on the bottom other than what they used on the rest of the boat.

Like I say when working on the bottom of my boats, the only person that's gonna see the bottom once it's flipped upright is if they get ran over.

Here's my Chiefs paint job on the bottom...

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

While sanding, a lot of the paint has come off the top of the rivets. Do I need to hit those with self etch or just the exposed hull?? Your guys boats look great! Thanks for sharing the photos.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Hit em w etching

 

[CaptainRev]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

First coat of primer.... was a lot easier than I thought. My compressor was working hard, but made it through. Have a few spots that I can still see the self etch through so I will probably shoot it all again. I used the Rusto Clean metal primer.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1986 18' Starcraft SS restore

Looking good Rev :thumb: