1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

A little bit of body work and lots and lots of sanding.

All primed up and ready for paint!

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

D O N E !

All painted and ready for reinstalling the components. Elapsed time: approximately two weeks, most nights and two weekends.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Looks factory molded for sure. A+

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Thanks!

 

[jgoeden]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

I must ask (as I'm getting ready to start my first fiber glass project, my dash as well)...

On the mold you said you used 4 layers of mat and 3 layers of cloth. Is the 'mat' the same thing as CSM? And what is the technical term for the 'cloth' you used? Like a woven glass?

Then for the actual part you said you used 4 layers of CSM then 2 layers of the cloth.

Just trying to figure out the cloth...

Also what are the weights of the CSM and the cloth you used?

I'll have plently more glassing questions later

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Yes, the mat is CSM (chopped strand mat). I used 3/4 ounce mat and ripped it into approximately 2"x2" squares. Lots of pieces. Having the smaller pieces allowed me to meet the contours of the mold. I just brushed on a coat of resin and then started laying on the pieces. When I had about a 6" x 12" area covered I brushed on some more resin and kinda poked at it with the brush bristles to push out any air. I would highly recommend a detail roller. I continued laying on more mat, layer after layer then applied the cloth for extra strength.

"Cloth" is the woven stuff. I guess the technical name is cloth. It usually gives a smoother finish and adds a bit of strength. I used a lightweight cloth, 4 oz.

US Composites has everything you would ever need, give them a look.

Looking forward to some pics of your process and progress.

 

[79TEMPEST]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

wow im very impressed with the glass work and really looking forward to seeing the whole boat completed keep up the good work!

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Thanks 79TEMPEST!

I've been taking care of a couple of small details these past few days.

The cabin opening originally had a vinyl cover that snapped into place, so, I made a new one. I also applied non-skid to the floor, gunwales and the inside top edge of the splashwell, basically any place that may potentially be used as a step. I'll post some more photos tonight.

This weekend I'm hoping to pull the boat out of the garage so I can put the lower unit on. There's not enough room at the rear of the boat to put it on in the garage. Finally, I'll be able to run the motor in a tub of water. I've run the motor twice since rebuilding it but only for a few seconds without the lower unit. So, this weekend will be quite a milestone for me.

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Here's the cover I made for the cabin opening. Heavy duty vinyl and SS snaps.

And a shot of the non-slip on the gunwale, kinda hard to see.

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Well..I finally got the gauges and installed them over the weekend.

Just a note: The gauges I bought called for a 3 1/4" opening. Luckily, I had purchased a 3 1/4" holesaw for the opening for the steering wheel mounting bracket.
The problem was the gauges actually required a 3 3/8" to 3 1/2" opening. So, I spent a bit of time sanding the opening, by hand, to the correct size. I'm really happy with these gauges, they just look right, to me anyway.

here's som pics

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Man that dash sure looks good. When you going to come over and do mine? Cant wait to see the rest of the boat.

 

[Jakebob]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

Beautiful job. Man that dash is just screaming for something like this:

http://www.iboats.com/UFLEX-Non-Magnetic-SS-Wheel/dm/*******.811751453--**********.200407887--view_id.391983

 

[imported_rick]

Re: 1978 18ft Grand Priz Floor Replacement and more

@proshadetree

Thanks! I'll be right over.
Actually it's an easy process, give it a shot. I still have a bit of work I wanted to do to it before next spring. My next project is to build a bench seat across the back. The seat will house a cooler and a storage section made of fiberglass. I'll be posting pics of the cooler/storage mold building process. It will also be my first shot at upholstery with padded vinyl flip up covers for the the seat itself.


@Jakebob
Thanks! You're right, I hear it screaming now too!