84 Lowe V-Bottom Restoration Q's

[jbjuice]

So glad I found this forum because I have some questions. I just bought a 84 Lowe V-Bottom with a 25hp Johnson. I took it out and it works perfect with no leaks; the only issue is that its ugly. The paint is scraped off and the aluminum bench seats are dented in. My questions are below:
-Found out it would cost $1500 for a paint job alone. I decided to paint it, but can I do this with a roller?
-Is it worth filling in the dings and (very few) dents?
-I do I take care of the dented in bench seats? I was thinking about overlaying it with plywood.
-How do I install swivel seats? It has a couple now, but they are coming loos from the bench. There is styrofoam underneath, so it makes it very difficult
-Has anyone restored the trailer? I need to paint it, and assume that wouldn't be a big task
THANKS!!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 84 Lowe V-Bottom Restoration Q's

Welcome to iBoats!

Post up some Pics so we can SEE what you're working with. My signature has a link on how to post em. Check out Page #10 in my resto Thread on how to paint your boat for less than $75 bucks and it will last for YEARS. I'd coat some 3/4" Ext. Grade Plywood with Epoxy and mount it on the seat tops. You could then mount swivels on them for your seats. You can use the same paint formula for your trailer.

 

[goboating]

Re: 84 Lowe V-Bottom Restoration Q's

jbjuice welcome to iboats!!!!!!!there is tons of advice here but we are visually oriented....its a guy thing. Also check out www.tinboats.net. Its an aluminum only site. Good stuff there as well. Now, pictures, pictures...and more pictures!!!

 

[goboating]

Re: 84 Lowe V-Bottom Restoration Q's

P.S. on the trailer check out Tractor Supply Co. they sell paint made for farm implements. the paint comes with a hardener(Like resin) that makes it very, very tough. you can for sure paint it with a roller! Then If you have any runs or imperfections you can lightly!!!brush over them with a bristle brush to flow things out. Most owners consider dings to be character(as long as their not to deep). If the bench seats are pop rivited in then removing them is easy. If not, then be VERY careful with a cutoff wheell to split the welds. As for seats, if their bases aren't welded on then they are usually done with self-tapping screws. Unless the boat is real old then the void under the seats is foamed. If an owner takes foam out from under the seats then it is a good idea to put in a floor and build up foam sheets under it. This might seem like a pain to do untill...for whatever reason...your boat sinks!and still halfway floats because of the foam you put in it. IMHO