Re: My 1957 S-147
Hello Joe,
Well I was lucky that there was no paint on the hull at all ! So that was lucky. When I found it (as shown in the last pic on the far right) the PO (Previous Owner) had partially restored the seat backs, but that was about it.
The remnants of the 'DuraDeck' were faded pink as you noted and stuck to the bow aluminum like iron. I tried scraping but only was able to get a few small chunks up. So I decided to use a trick I have used on epoxy paints and aircraft skin - I used Aircraft Remover - this is a serious paint remover that will remove your skin too. Use gloves and goggles, and cover up good.
What I did was first remove the bumpers from the gunwale (had to use a drill as the screws were rusted), also drilled out any rivets (careful to not expand the holes any larger than they were.)
I gathered some saran wrap clear plastic and then some disposable paint brushes. On a warm day I covered about a 1 foot section at a time with the Aircraft remover stripper (brush in one direction only) and then covered it with the plastic (to slow the evaporation)
After 1 hour or so I went back and peeled up the plastic and did a test scrape - if the glue and the vinyl came up nice, I went after it with my scraper.
Repeat until the whole deck is mostly cleaned. Then there will be the tough spots, just go back over them with more stripper and give it more time (it will bubble the glue and Duradeck) - DO NOT LET THE STRIPPER DRY OUT - it will be harder than epoxy...
It took a good day but I got it all, most of the top deck was still shiny clean aluminum under all that !
For the replacement 'Duradeck' I went to Joann Fabrics and got enough red marine vinyl to cover the deck. Make sure to get enough to cover the bow in one piece, Measure carefully. It comes in a standard width that is *just* wide enough and I seem to remember getting 6' of it.
Also pick up a can of 3M trim spray adhesive (black can)and a tube of 3M super trim adhesive.
I brought the boat into the garage and cleaned the deck with some acetone to remove any grease. Then I carefully found the best way to place the vinyl. I peeled 1/2 of the vinyl back (ie front to about midway back on the bow) and then sprayed the underside of the vinyl with the can of adhesive, it gives a really wide neat spray pattern - I did the same on the aluminum. wait a couple minutes for the adhesive to set up, go back over a little to cover the blank areas, but make sure it is even.
then carefully bring the vinyl back forward onto the glue - IT WILL STICK IMMEDIATELY WITH NO ADJUSTING ALOWED ! - Carefully from the center out, smooth it with your hand (clean the glue off you hand first !) - get all the bubbles out. - tease it into place until you are happy with it. Then do the same for the back half.
You have a little bit of time until it is set, but really you should go for the final fit right from the beginning. get the bubbles out. If you screw up you "might be able to peel off and try again, but be aware of clumps of glue that will show through.
Keep in mind that it fits so flat on the surface, you will see the rivets down the deck !
After the main piece was stuck down, go for the edges, have your bumper trim ready and the new Stainless screws. I pulled the vinyl tight and snug and used the super trim adhesive in a tube to stick the edges down. use rubber gloves and change them often, smear the glu on both the vinyl and the aluminum.
Screw the bumper trim on and then cut the excess vinyl off along the bottom
the dash trim is a little trickier and I used rivets, but same process, and in the sun the vinyl gets stretchier, so you can use that to help in the corners...
Since mine did not have the Gunwale trim, I was done, but I imagine the same techniques would work there.
I restored my vinyl 3 years ago, and the boat sits uncovered in the sun all summer with no cover and it did not peel or anything. I am sure it has faded a little though, but not too much. I remove the windshield and the steering wheel each fall and flip the boat over and store it outside.. I am rough on it and I use the boat all summer.
I hope this helps someone...
Dan
