Working on the bright work since it’s summer all year here and there is maintenance to be done.
Prep and sand, first coat of Epifanes applied, now every 24 hours another sand and reapply until 6 coats.
Yup, that's how I spent two weeks in June. 170 running feet times six costs (another this weekend).
36 grit followed by 150 on the cap rails, then 220 every coat on the hand rails. Phew!
Looks very nice but not for me anymore. I am converting to paint.
Yep, machine sanded all our flaking rails with 60grit and rolled on two coats of Sherman Williams self priming acrylic exterior house paint tinted to a timber colour.
That was near 4 years ago and still looks fine.
We did the rails around our sundeck last winter with white polyurethane. We really like the look and the upkeep should be much much less work. We actually finished doing some more areas today. I think that it updates the look of the boat and makes it look more modern. And did I mention the less work...
Are you willing to share some pictures of your painted railings. Ours are almost all stripped and ready for sanding and then new varnish or paint. I am much inclined to paint.
Just getting ready to strip our bright work to bare wood. Do most of you use a heat gun? If so, how do you deal with small eyebrow molding that’s tight up against the fiberglass?
Also considering going back with Cetol this time since the new colors are nicer and the stuff is less burdensome to keep up.
Heat gun and one of these scrapers. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish with one of these. The heat gun is fine if you pay attention. The varnish will bubble before you damage gel coat. 3 coats of Cetol Natural Teak and 2-3 coats of gloss. Sanding between coats of gloss will add to the smoothness but not necessary.
That’s a Bahco scraper by the way. Many different carbide tips available for the detailed work if necessary.
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bJVtE74ZL._AC_.jpg
Looks very nice but not for me anymore. I am converting to paint.
Please, those who have gone to paint, post some pictures. I spent many hours doing my hand rails anticipating adding a quick coat every year but fell behind and now they are needing a complete job. Too much work!
A friend spent several years doing his boat with epiphanes. He really did it right, many coats, sanding between coats. It was beautiful !! He has severe health issues now and has not kept up on the brightwork for two years and it is almost back to square one.
I pulled the teak on my F.B. a couple years ago. Big job but worth it. Now I am contemplating doing the side walkways and painting the rest. Admiral says "No" but if I could show her some nice pictures of a quality job it might sway her.
pete
Wow, 36 grit scares me. First for me was an 80 followed by 120, then each coat after is 220 and 400.
Yeah, me too, but I started with 60 and was making no headway. I should qualify my original post, that regimen was for the cap rails; the handrails were in much better shape and 150/220 did the job.