Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

[KewlBird]

Hi, I'm working on a 1975 85hp cowl. I'm am in the process of repainting it and replacing the rubber seal. Question is: How do I attach the new seal? The original one is attached with some heavy duty staples, I have a stapler that uses T50 staples. Can I shoot them in and bend them over?, any better suggestions?
And lastly here's the paint/primer/clearcoat I bought for it, anyone see any issues with the combo or any better suggestions?
Sorry about all these questions, but I've searched around and there a lot of info I've gathered but I just want this thing to turn out beautifully...Thanks Oh, and will I need more paint?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

I think i would glue it on with some 3M weatherstrip adhesive.Some of the other guys may have better suggestions.
Why do you need a plastic primer? The hood is fiberglass.
I have better luck with Tempo paints and they match original colors.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Why do you need a plastic primer? The hood is fiberglass.
I have better luck with Tempo paints and they match original colors.

I read in one of the other posts that they recommended the plastic primer for fiberglass. I checked the back of the can for uses and it lists fiberglass specifically while the other primers I looked at didn't. So I purchased it, if anyone thinks this stuff might be problamatic let me know.


I'll have to check to see who carries Tempo, the store I was at had Rust-oleum, more Rust-oleum, and more Rust-oleum and small selection of some other brand.

Thanks for the suggestion on the adhesive

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Being a cheapster from a long line of even cheaper cheapsters, I have tried several store spray paints and haven't had good luck with rustoleum on motors myself---but that's just me. It was good on other stuff, but not my old boat motors. Duplicolor has worked pretty well for me, and even walmart brand (whatever you do, don't spray one over the other!)
JMO,
JBJ

 

[ezeke]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Tempo paints are lacquers and eventually crack and leave crowsfeet. Besides, there is really no reason to use them on the upper cowl unless you are doing a restoration in which case you should probably use alkyd enamel from Peter McDowell.

There also is no need to use a primer on the fiberglass. The Rustoleum will work OK applied directly to sanded fiberglass in light coats. Just give ample time to dry between coats.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Being a cheapster from a long line of even cheaper cheapsters, I have tried several store spray paints and haven't had good luck with rustoleum on motors myself---but that's just me. It was good on other stuff, but not my old boat motors. Duplicolor has worked pretty well for me, and even walmart brand (whatever you do, don't spray one over the other!)
JMO,
JBJ

I used duplicolor on different projects and it worked great, I especially liked how fast their sandable primer dries. I bought the Rusto mainly because I saw couple of other finished products done with it and I thought it looked great.

 

[bralex]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

As long as all three products say that they can be used together, give it a try. The most important thing is the prep. What kind of shape is the old paint in? Before you start to sand the old paint, I would clean it with non moisturizer liquid hand soap and a rough scuffy pad. Go over it 2-3 times to remove wax and oil. Then it is ready for sanding to remove the dead paint. Allow adequate time between coats according to directions, but not more than one hour at the recommended temperature. If you wait to long, the next coat will wrinkle the previous. Once you have applied your last coat, let it dry for 2-3 days before handling/new decals/new seal.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Oops, I already sanded it, I just went at it. The paint was in a bad shape.....
Well, I did some work on it today. I sanded the sides and top, all that is left to do is the corners and crevices. BTW, don't sand in the shed (everything is covered in an inch of dust ). If anyone still has some ideas about attaching the cowl seal let me know.

 

[bralex]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

It's not to late. Use the scuffy pads with the soap as I described prior to priming and you should be OK.

 

[MarkV_Deep6]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

If anyone still has some ideas about attaching the cowl seal let me know.

I know you can buy new seals from Dixie Marine online, and probably from other reputable marine parts stores.

The only way I can think of stapling as they are orriginally attached, is with SS staples and an air stapler. You would still need to bend them over as you mentioned earlier. I don't believe any of the spring loaded staplers are going to be powerful enough to punch through the rubber and the fiber glass.

 

[bralex]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

once the paint has dryed, apply contact cement along the edge of the cowl and let it set up. Then slide the new seal over the edge and your good to go.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

once the paint has dryed, apply contact cement along the edge of the cowl and let it set up. Then slide the new seal over the edge and your good to go.

Will do...well when it gets a bit warmer out there (it's 10 degrees fahrenheit outside). I'm not going to even attempt to finish sanding the cowl with temperatures that low (even with the heater). I hope spring comes early this year, because I'm tired of winter.

 

[Lodgepole]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Just save and re use the staples. Streighten them and put them back in the same holes and bend them over. Works great for me. Glue usually comes loose sooner or later.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Just save and re use the staples. Streighten them and put them back in the same holes and bend them over. Works great for me. Glue usually comes loose sooner or later.

I thought about it, but I didn't want to sound so cheap. I do still have the staples but it will be difficult to find the holes (new seal). I might go just go nuts and do both glue and staples .

It looks like the weather will be a bit warmer over the weekend so I'll get a chance to work on the cowl again. (A bit warmer being 32 degrees).

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

I just went through the re-seal business on a 79 85 hp. I re-used the original staples. Put them in the seal, then strategically drilled tiny new holes where required. I would say that probably 85% of the staples worked, the balance broke during installation. Came out fine.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

I put a new seal on mine when I re-painted it. The new seal was a bit more substantial than the old one and seemed to "hug" the cowl a bit better. I didn't have to use staples or adhesive on mine and it stays on just fine.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Its been a full month since sanding so it's time for an update. I had quite a few spots I had to patch (all kinds of dings and cracks).

Final priming:

Temperature was right today (in the 40's, first warm day in february, dropping tonight to 20's with snow) so I got my chance to throw on some paint. Couple coats of paint are on already (drying right now). During the painting itself I saw a few dust particles sticking out . Hopefully when the paint is fully dry in couple of days I'll be able to flick them off.

 

[MarkV_Deep6]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Good work so far....Looks like you got my kero heater in the back ground. LOL I don't know if you can get a small amount of epoxy for that hood. What type of paint are you planning on finishing with?

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

Here's a few pictures of painted hood, I used the Rust-Oleum White Gloss Protective Enamel. I will be adding another coat when it gets a bit warmer outside.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Cowl/Hood seal replacement and repaint question...

THat hood looks like crap, kewl bird. what did you paint it with--a barn brush??
Just kidding, looks perfect. You must have really took your time on the prep. can't wait to see it with the new decals. They always look kind of plain without the decals. I've had good luck going over spray paint with catalyzed automotive clear coat. keeps it from getting scratched as easy and gives a nice gloss.
Nice work,
JBJ