Refitting a Compass 47

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Which patch booster are you using? Is it Cobalt? No surface seal? Or is it in the booster?

Here is the patch booster we are using.

[cpa]

Today went pretty well. We removed everything including the stanchions, toe rail, cleat, fair leads, spinnaker pole and reaching strut brackets. Basically all but the two jib tracks. I had to do a little more wood cutting and grinding to get to a few of the bolts, but nothing too bad. We will tackle the tracks this weekend and will hopefully start fairing on Monday.

[cpa]

More:

[minaret]

Originally Posted by cpa

Here is the patch booster we are using.

Ah, Ultrapatch. Have you used much yet? Are you getting a good surface cure?


Hate to say it, but I'd throw that stuff away. First off, it's shelf life is 90 days, check the MSDS. I bet it takes half that time just to get shipped out from the factory and shelved at the store. If its been sitting on the shelf for any time at all, it's no good. Working time is supposed to be five minutes, it's much too hot for what you're doing. It is accelerated with Cobalt and actually will give a false high moisture reading. And in my experience most patch boosters do just the opposite of what they claim to do. You'll get much better results with Surface Seal or PVA. I prefer Surface Seal. You can make your own with styrene monomer and paraffin wax, works great. But a can of the commercial stuff lasts forever too.

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Ah, Ultrapatch. Have you used much yet? Are you getting a good surface cure?


Hate to say it, but I'd throw that stuff away. First off, it's shelf life is 90 days, check the MSDS. I bet it takes half that time just to get shipped out from the factory and shelved at the store. If its been sitting on the shelf for any time at all, it's no good. Working time is supposed to be five minutes, it's much too hot for what you're doing. It is accelerated with Cobalt and actually will give a false high moisture reading. And in my experience most patch boosters do just the opposite of what they claim to do. You'll get much better results with Surface Seal or PVA. I prefer Surface Seal. You can make your own with styrene monomer and paraffin wax, works great. But a can of the commercial stuff lasts forever too.

That does not surprise me. I was not too happy with it the last time I used it. Please excuse my ignorance on the subject, but can I use the Surface Seal or PVA with my brushable gel coat? Also, if I decide to try to spray it, can I still use the brushable stuff, or is that why I am having to put on so many coats? Will traditional gel coat, being thicker, make thick coats easier?

Thanks!

[minaret]

Are you using this?


ARMORSTONE - POLYGEM, Inc.

[cpa]

This is what we are using.

[minaret]

Interesting. Never seen a manufacterer describe their gelcoat as "brushable". Usually gelcoat is gelcoat, and the only option is pre waxed or plain. Perhaps this is a roundabout way of saying this is a waxed gelcoat, but I couldn't get an MSDS on their site.

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Interesting. Never seen a manufacterer describe their gelcoat as "brushable". Usually gelcoat is gelcoat, and the only option is pre waxed or plain. Perhaps this is a roundabout way of saying this is a waxed gelcoat, but I couldn't get an MSDS on their site.

If I were to spray, do you have any advice on a budget setup for the gun?

[minaret]

Originally Posted by cpa

If I were to spray, do you have any advice on a budget setup for the gun?

Sure, I'll post some links this evening. You can shoot out of any gun, you just want a bigger fluid tip than normal.

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Sure, I'll post some links this evening. You can shoot out of any gun, you just want a bigger fluid tip than normal.

Awesome! Thank you so much.

[cpa]

The work continues. With the help of my dad, I removed the jib tracks. Then Denise and I pulled off the two mast pulpits. Today was not as productive due to rain i the morning. But I managed to get the boat washed and cleaned up all of the old bedding compound. Tomorrow will start the first day of sanding and fairing the misc. cracks and dings. Here are a few pictures from today.

[cpa]

I took a few pictures of the already done side to make myself feel a little better about the slower progress. I am going to put a lot more time into fairing this time.

[cpa]

We started sanding and fairing today. We are using the 3M premium filler and I just love it. I was an straight epoxy guy for most of my life and I have to say that I love this stuff. It applies with ease, dries quick, and sands great too.

We did not get a lot of work done this week with the rainy weather on the only day that Denise and I have off. The next four days will be spent sanding the filler (I only have 2 hours of daylight after work) . My next three days off will be spent fairing the rest of the area we are doing.

I am not looking forward to pulling the five hatches and fairing around those corners. Oh well, I guess it is only time.

[cpa]

Too cold to do anything major. More sanding and taping.