Duke's Rehab of the CABO 204 Centercon...

[Slough]

I agree with Cran Dukes!! Nice job and keep up the good posts!

[DukesFin]

Well, in my reading about Interlux Perfection 2-part epoxy topsides paint, I got a little worried. It noted that it doesn't "flex" that well and can crack. Given how I use my boat and it's construction, I called the Interlux technical help line and we decided that Brightsides (one-part poly paint) would be the best paint to use.

I put on a coat of Primekote primer Saturday morning, came back this morning, sanded it with 120 grit and applied the second coat. This was only to the hull-sides as the topsides will be primed and painted after I put the two halves of the boat back together again.

To put the primer on, I went to Harbor Freight and picked up a conventional sprayer for $17 and boy did it work perfectly! You can tell that it's not a high-dollar gun by the materials it's made of and how uncomfortable it is, but functionally, it was fine and will be for the remainder of the project. There is a HUGE difference in using a HVLP gun and conventional. The finish on the conventional is much better, but the over spray is much MUCH more!

Anyway, tomorrow, I will sand down the primer with 220 grit and put my first coat of Brightsides on. The primer alone looks awesome. If I thought it would last, I'd just leave it alone, but I'm sure the high-glossed Brightsides will look absolutely amazing!!!

Anyway, I'll snap some pictures tomorrow, but that's my update from this weekend!

[Tidedancer]

Thanks for the update Duke.

[DukesFin]

Last night, I got the first coat of Interlux Brightsides white on the hull... Sanding the Primekote was a PITA, but got it done.

I used the gravity feed HVLP gun I got from the big box store at 40psi and fluid output at about 3/4 and the 1.4mm tip, and paint thinned to 10%. Flowed out very well. I got runs on the transom corners because I just HAD to hit them 2X more just to be "sure" and I'll be paying for that mistake with the sand paper tonight! Arrrrghh! Totally my fault.

As with any fresh wet paint, it sure looked nice when I was done spraying though. I can't wait to get back to it tonight and see how the gloss held up! Hopefully, it's going to be hard enough to sand for the 2nd coat!!!!

[DukesFin]

Okay, I got some pictures of the first coat of finish paint...

My wife got some pictures I was not aware of! Here it is while I was sanding it for primer:


And a good comparison picture to that one with it's first coat of finish paint:


And some misc. pictures of the new paint here:



Here's a nice reflection picture... Getting a photo of reflection on white paint is hard!


I knew as I was spraying the corners at the transom for the 2nd and 3rd time that I shouldn't be doing it, but I did anyway and here's the result... One of only two runs:


To say I'm happy with the first coat is an understatement! I'm loving the "wet" look on the dry hull!!!!

Tomorrow morning, I have to go to Lowes and get more 220 grit, sand it down and put the 2nd and last coat on the hull! I can't wait to get into the deck/gunnels of the boat now! It's going to BLIND me!!! Yippeeee!!!

[qoutrage]

Your work looks good, Duke.

[DukesFin]

Thanks man. It's not perfect by any means, that's for sure, but it sure is MUCH better than when I started, so I'm happy. I've never done any of this before so everything has a "learning curve" to it. The internet is amazing, huh? I wouldn't have attempted this without the help of a GREAT restoration forum that I've been reading for a couple of years now. Every boat and every fix has it's own methods and story, so you (I) kind of have to piece it together as I go.

I am SO ready to put the cap back on the hull, but I will have to wait at least a week after the next coat of paint. As soon as the next coat is "touch dry", I will be able to start sanding on the cap/deck to prep it for primer!!!

[silverking]

Really looking good, Duke. I'm sure the progress seems slow to you and Meli. To us curious by-standers, however, you're making great strides. I thought I was pretty handy with boat repairs, but you make my skills look like the proverbial shade tree mechanic. Nicely done and keep the updates/pix coming.

[Ranaman]

Great Stuff Duke!!

You and Meli have a great Christmass and we'll see ya next year!!

Joe & Celeste

[Tidedancer]

Lookin' good Dukester. I asume that the paper cover up is for the bottom paint. Right? If so what color bottom paint ya gona use Bro.

[DukesFin]

Lookin' good Dukester. I asume that the paper cover up is for the bottom paint. Right? If so what color bottom paint ya gona use Bro.

In the picture of me sanding for primer, you can see the bottom paint already on. I used Interlux VC Performance Epoxy. It has teflon in it and I love it. I got some texture to it, but less than "regular" black albative bottom paint:

Here are some pics of the bottom paint:
The texture:


And a "before/after" comparison:


I'm glad I did the bottom first since I changed the hull paint to a 1-part paint. You can't put a 2-part epoxy paint over a 1-part. The 1-part just won't hold up and if I had overlapped any bottom paint over my hull paint, it would have lifted/blistered/peeled right off!

So far, I'm really impressed with the Interlux product line of paints as well as their customer service. I've called the tech line quite a few times with questions. Never on hold for even a minute, they never hesitate in their answers (meaning they REALLY know their stuff) and are always happy to help. The last time I called, it was about switching to the 1-part hull paint (cheaper) instead of the "Perfection" 2-part. Since I use the boat in some rough waters, the tech agreed that the 1-part would flex better than the two part. It isn't as hard, but no biggie. It's still some really impressive stuff.

[reelcatch]

Looks great. I look forward to the pictures and the progress reports. Can't wait to see the finished product.
As silverking said to you the progress seems slow but it is REALLY fast considering what you are doing.

[DukesFin]

As my warehouse lease's "end" date moves ever so close, I find myself sweating it, then I take a step back, take a deep breath and do what I can do... SAND MORE!!!

I got the final coat of hull paint on today, so I'll go back later on after it is "touch dry" and remove the paper and tape. Either late tonight or tomorrow, I'll get back to filling screw holes in the deck/topside with epoxy resin and thickener so I can sand it all down smooth, then prime it. By the time I'm done sanding it all down, I'll be ready to put the cap back on.

I can re-rig it at home, but all the hull work HAS to be done in the warehouse where I can keep the temperature above 50 degrees.

Thanks for all the compliments and support. The whole project can wear a man down for sure, but the kind words help motivate for sure!!!

[robbankston]

New guy on here. Man you are doing an outstanding job. Me and my father-in-law are working on restoring an 18 foot Chapparal that I have been documenting over on iBoats. We aren't hitting it as hard and heavy as you but it's coming along. I'm impressed and somewhat motivated after reading this. Keep up the good work!

[DukesFin]

Thanks Rob. I'm on the restoration forum as well. What page is your Chapparal on?