My Super Sportster

[GoldDuster360]

Hey GoldD, that sure is a nice little 16SS you have there, looks to have been well cared for in her past life. :thumb:

Not sure I know what you mean by a "sympathetic restoration" :noidea:

If I had to go guessing I would say your picking away at the surface layer repairing/refinishing things that don't look so good?

You hit the nail on the head, the boat was so well cared for I just wanted to address items that really needed attention while very carefully removing mold, oxidation, fixing scratches and replacing those items worn past the point of reliable or safe without disturbing the patina. I was originally going to just buy this boat to finish using it up but after I started cleaning it I knew it was too nice just to use it up. The start of all this was a mild solution of bleach to remove some deep seated mold in the vinyl seats, only a shot glass of bleach in an old spray bottle with water, took two hours with a sponge, keeping everything wet and not dripping it on the carpets. Before and after shown below on the seats and some of the paint work:

 

[Tnstratofam]

The interior and hull look great. What did you use on the hull?

 

[GoldDuster360]

The interior and hull look great. What did you use on the hull?

Meguiars Ultimate Compound. I used an eraser sponge to remove smudges like the ones on the dark brown trim. Simple green on the black rubber in the side moldings and guard rails then hit the black with mequiars natural sheen protectant. All the brown crud on the rubber melts off with the simple green and an eraser sponge. Another before shot with the dirty rub rails and oxidized paint:

 

[Watermann]

Yeah that is amazing it's been so well cared for. If you haven't tried it yet, pop for some aerospace 303 protectant for that vinyl, it's nothing like armorall.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Very nice. It's rare that people find these boats in useable condition only needing a little refreshing. I polished on our hull just a little bit at the end of last season. She's just a fishing boat, but this spring when the weather warms up a bit I'm going to clean her up real good and try to get the paint into decent shape. I'm really thinking about changing our seating as well, and seeing how yours has a live well incorporated into it makes me think that might be a useful addition.

 

[GoldDuster360]

Thanks for the compliments guys, sounds like I have this project headed in the right direction.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

The Meguiars is some good stuff. I use that on my glasser and she keeps her looking great.

 

[classiccat]

Late to the party...but Welcome!!! :welcome:

Awesome job so far!! Looks showroom! :thumb:

A little somethin' to keep an eye on....we're a little snobby over here in the mob when it comes to not replacing the transom wood. When you get the motor hung, give the powerhead a good push/pull to see if there's any flex. Transom-wood failure manifests itself in cracks in the kneebrace &/or splashwell.

 

[GoldDuster360]

Late to the party...but Welcome!!! :welcome:

Awesome job so far!! Looks showroom! :thumb:


A little somethin' to keep an eye on....we're a little snobby over here in the mob when it comes to not replacing the transom wood. When you get the motor hung, give the powerhead a good push/pull to see if there's any flex. Transom-wood failure manifests itself in cracks in the kneebrace &/or splashwell.

Thanx for the tip. I had my dad out on the lake with us last time we used it before yanking the motor, we were both in agreement the motor did not noticeably flex the transom. He has 50yrs boating experience to my 3 months ownership experience You can stand on the lower unit and doesn't do much either.

Transom pad turned out nice:

 

[Tnstratofam]

That transom pad looks rock solid, and sealed up really well.

 

[GoldDuster360]

That transom pad looks rock solid, and sealed up really well.

I gave it three coats of West System Epoxy, two coats epoxy primer and three coats of Enamel with the hardner in it. Probably over restored that part but since I went ahead and replaced the steering cable and helm while the engine was off I figure I may have to only do this once.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Yeah I'd say that will outlast you or I. Probably the next owner as well.

 

[GoldDuster360]

Getting close

 

[Watermann]

Be sure to dust those spots of bare AL with some SE primer before hitting it with the paint.

 

[GoldDuster360]

Be sure to dust those spots of bare AL with some SE primer before hitting it with the paint.

Did that:

 

[GoldDuster360]

It's a chocolate waterfall:

 

[cj8mule]

I love watching paint dry.... looking good!

 

[jbcurt00]

Suddenly for no apparent reason i want a Hershey bar

Looks good

 

[Tnstratofam]

Nice! :thumb:

 

[Watermann]

I need to see the dentist now... :lol:

Hey I'm really liking that color, check this out... Transom and pieces for my SN dash