Re: Chris Craft Cavalier
Could you please give a little more info.
Cavalier was introduced as a Plywood runabout and usually had a 60 hp Hurcules Block CC straight 4 cylinder in the 16 foot range (it was actually 15.5 feet)
There were many other sizes, however this is the size I have experience with.
To my knowledge there were also kit boats from CC but the cavalier was a Plywood production Boat. Most were a Utility style but some had a covered transom. with seat only in the front.
To refinish the Plywood I will be very very brief for now.
1. Chemical strip
2.100 grit by hand, this will leave enough texture for the stain. When staining remember the wood will only absorb what it can and the rest wipes off in the process. I apply thinned out varnish the first couple times to seal stain, doing it twice in one day with no sanding between.
3.Roll on Epiphanes Varnish with a sponge roller. Bottom to top on sides skipping every other width. Roll to blend in between and this will help with a consistent thickness.
4. After rolling a side, pull out bubble with sponge brush soaked and wiped in varnish (this way it will not remove varnish) from bottom up. Get on it...get off it...move , pull move pull. No need to go back it will flatten.
5. The first time I sand on the varnish I use a scotch brite pad and make the surface completely flat like gloss. This way burn through is less likely.
6. 220 grit between coats.Move the sander you are only knocking off mountains here. Follow with scoth brite each time to scuff the valleys. Let a week go by between coats if you can, a lot depends on humidity and temperature. Take 220 in your hand and test it, it should be powder dusty and not clumpy tiny balls.
