Project Log: Saturday, October 26, 2013
I surprised myself by wrapping up the masking and
high-build primer prep (at least for the initial areas
to be so treated) in less time than expected--good news,
but the reality was that I'd hoped to be at this point
in the process about three months earlier, which just
didn't happen thanks to various other commitments and
demands on my time.
In the event, picked up where I left off, and completed
the masking work on the starboard sidedeck, where I
covered the bulwarks and decks with paper to protect
them against overspray from the coachroof and pilothouse
painting.
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Access-wise, I'd also be able to include the forward
bulwarks in this first round of painting, so I masked
around those areas accordingly. My plan was to
include direct sidedeck access on each side of the boat
(via ladders), so I could climb aboard into the
masked-off sidedecks and spray the coachroof and
pilothouse on each side of the boat; I'd also be able to
reach the foredeck area under this approach. |
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Next, I installed plastic over the cockpit, taping it to
the previously-masked lines I'd installed around the
perimeters. this left most of the coamings exposed
for painting in this round. The actual cockpit,
and aft end of the pilothouse, would get addressed
sometime later, after I'd completed the paint work on
all other areas of the deck an hull. This was to
give me ample time (and hopefully inclination) to
finally address the structural changes to the cockpit,
which a recent review of the project logs showed I'd
been whining about consistently for years (while
continuing to ignore the actual work). |
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To allow myself access to the cockpit coamings for
spraying, I set up two sections of staging around the
stern, and set up two ladders--one on each side--that
would give me access to the decks for spraying those
areas, as well as direct access to the pilothouse roof
if needed. Meanwhile, I draped the topsides with
sheet plastic to protect them during the deck painting
exercises.
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Finally, I solvent-washed the exposed deck areas with
the paint system's proprietary solvent and settled in to
wait till I could paint. I'd created a quandary
for myself in that with the day's unexpected efficiency
I'd forced a week-long delay in the process. I
needed two consecutive days in order to apply and sand
the paint, since I always liked to sand as soon as
possible after application while the paint was still
relatively soft (as with all epoxies, the primers
continued curing and became harder over time). So
I'd have to wait till the next weekend in order to allow
myself the time required.
This would be a continuing need (and frustration)
throughout what was to be a very drawn-out painting
process--while the end result would ultimately be
satisfying, and a huge checkmark on the list, it was a
process to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Basically, this was how I envisioned the process for the
decks in the weeks ahead:
1. Spray and sand high-build primer (3 coats) on
phase 1 areas--coachroof and pilothouse [2 days]
2. Spot and pinhole filling/sanding as needed [1
day]
3. Spray and sand finish primer (3 coats) on
coachroof and pilothouse [2 days]
4. Unmask phase 1 areas; blend parting line; and
remask/final prep for phase 2 (sidedecks, bulwarks, and
cabin sides) [2 days]
5. Spray and sand high-build primer (3 coats) on
phase 2 areas [2 days]
6. Spot and pinhole filling/sanding as needed [1
day]
7. Spray and sand finish primer (3 coats) on phase
2 areas [2 days]
8. Unmask phase 2 areas; blend parting line;
remask deck for topcoats [2 days]
9. Spray gloss topcoats (3 coats), hopefully on
all areas in one session--details still to be worked out
[1 day, hopefully]
Onwards and upwards.
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Total Time Today: 2.75 hours
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