Plastic Classic Forum

My vote is a Fein Multimaster and a hole saw. Cleaner cut than a sawsall (sp). Before going to such an extreme, I'd see what it takes to replace the parts. I like Spartan Marine (http://www.spartanmarine.com/) and Lighthouse Marine Supply (www.partman.com). Some headaches are just easier to throw mo...

Blistering/hydrolysis aside, I have applied Interlux 2000E to the entire boat as a high build primer, as well as to enjoy any protection benefits. 7 gallons and 2 days of sanding later, I loved the end result. I got an absolutely smooth surface that was beautifully faired and completely devoid of pi...

Relative to the age of our boats, 6 years is still infancy. Gotta love the search feature.

I'll try peel ply next time, though the plastic is great, cheap stuff for a clean lay-up that allows for squeeging out the air bubbles. After curing it comes right off. I never made the assumption that it would resolve the blush issue (which based on comments posted here, may have proved a wise choi...

I love the stuff. Cheap, quick delivery, knowledgeable staff for the DIYer, and a complete line of related products. Low blush, too.

Why use peel-ply rather than cheaper, 4 mil plastic sheeting?

Try this link.

http://www.plasticclassicforum.com/view ... highlight=

The super strong vinegar soak worked well for dark brown patina, but not as well as the acid wash for heavy green.

$5 dry wall, 1/2 sheet sanding blocks with a little foam on the pad are light weight and have comfortable handles are nice complements to the 30" 3M longboards.

I'm a big fan of the plastic drywall knives also. They are sufficiently flexible to allow for a slight convex shape to the fairing compound. With careful cleaning, I can get 5 applications before the acetone pits the knives' edges. I usually use a paint stir stick or tongue depressor to get the basi...

Hopefully this post shall serve as a useful tip for those struggling to bring back old bronze/brass and removing paint, verdigris, and other such. This lesson learned is based on months of trial and error with a trunk full of old hardware. Needed: 1. Small steel bucket ffrom paint supply dept. 2. Ci...

David:

I have looked over your experience removing the Merriman winches from your mast. Perhaps thereing lies the key.

What was/is your favorite solvent for unfreezing bronze, stainless, and/or aluminum?

Rachel:

You didn't miss a thing. I'm merely learning the technology.

BTW, the previous link takes you to this photo:

David: I can certainly understand your interpretation of my last post. Let me try again, differently. Below are the images posted by #218 on Mon May 28, 2007 10:21 pm that may prove helpful to the discussion: http://headwayassociates.com/images/reassemble_1_WEB-420x298.jpg http://headwayassociates.c...

David: In light of your confidence, and the fact that the two sets of winches so closely match, I am going to move on to a vise, pipe wrench, more WD-40, and get myself an over sized screwdriver. I still have the old caps to cover the pawl well, though I removed them for the photo. Based on your rec...

David: At your suggestion, I removed the spring, and attempted to remove the upper pawls. No luck. Irrespective of the relative position of the pawls and the under lying "screw", the pawls do not want to come out. Additionally, the "screw" may actually be integral to the winch ba...

David: I can remove the spring, but will need to get back to the boat tomorrow to scrounge for the winch handle. A key or a kitchen knife ain't enough to take out the central screw. With the removal of the spring, the upper pawls spread apart wide enough to match the width of the central screw below...

David:

What's your secret for removing the upper pawls?

Mine don't seem to "slip out."

This Triton looks like my Kittiwake did the day I bought her. Thank heavens a Kittiwake doesn't have an inboard.

Figment:

Brilliant! I will scrounge around for the handle, try your idea - provided its forked - and circle back.

Thank you.

Rachel: Again, I truly appreciate your contribution to resolving the mystery. Also, having read as much of this forum as I have, I know you to be helpful, good natured, and worthy of respect for your boating endeavors. Perhaps others in the group may have faced this mystery and come up with a soluti...

When sailing in Maine, towing an inflatable, we came up with the following: 1. Tied a line between two points on the bow of the dinghy, with an eye on the bight. 2. Tied a line to the eye on the dinghy line, with two eyes on the bight, and the other end cleated to the boat. 3. Tied a length of stiff...

Rachel: Thank you for your quick response. I look forward to posting photos and descriptions of the work involved in bringing my Kittiwake back once I master some of the nuances of the web technology. I have been an avid fan of this site for more than a year. You and the other members of the forum h...

I have looked far and wide on the Internet for a solution to my challenge. I’m feeling like Richard III in need of a horseshoe nail. I am currently restoring a 1967 Kittiwake, and desire to revitalize the primary winches that came with the vessel. I am making the assumption that they are Merriman #1...