Mate, fer Chrissake don't follow my instructions exactly or it'll be my fault if it turns out bad!<br /><br />I've never used a clear coat except on brass and other metals so I can't say. A good epoxy will give you a long lasting hard surface.<br /><br />The critical thing to remember is that paint manufacturers share the same dishonesty, sorry optimism, as food manufacturers, e.g. take food out of freezer and put in conventional oven for 20 minutes then eat. Yeah, and it's barely defrosted. They want us to believe that everything can be done quicker than it really takes.<br /><br />The epoxy coat won't cure fully for maybe a few weeks. It'll be soft for a few days if you want to lean on it a bit, but it'll be dry to the touch on the surface the day after you spray it. Just see how easy it is to get a fingerprint into even a day or two after the last coat.<br /><br />Resist the temptation to handle it. Leave it for a few days before touching it and you should have a finish that'll last for years and years.
If you want to keep costs down, do what Mark said about sanding and feathering the chips. One can of no-primer epoxy will do the job for $15 or so.<br /><br />Don't give up because you can't put it back together yet. <br /><br />The people in the factory had to be able to assemble it, so you can too. <br /><br />You just need to work out how to do it.<br /><br />Think it through and see if you need to tape or clamp something in position during part of the assembly process. They might have used some aids in the factory but you can probably make one. <br /><br />It's often counter-intuitive. Maybe you need to part assemble it in some fashion and screw it down a bit and then insert a bit that will be held but couldn't be when you have just two halves.<br /><br />I've been through this on various things and usually managed to work it out sooner or later. I've also broken a fair bit of stuff beyond repair from rushing at it.<br /><br />You'll get a sense of achievement from working it out.<br /><br />Try an internet search for the keywords on your control box. It's amazing what people put up. Maybe it's in the manual for your motor, unlike mine.
Nice idea.<br /><br />Will add class.<br /><br />If you're going to stain it a dark colour, maybe think about jarrah or red gum? Hard on tools but a lovely dark finish. The real old red gum house stumps and fence posts have beautiful dense red grain and shine up a treat off the tools. Coat of clear and it'll outlast the boat.
