First let me thank everyone on this site. I am just completing my first boat restoration on a 24' '86 Vendetta/'86 Suzuki 200 hp 2 stroke tunnel hull deck boat that I restored myself just with advice from this site.
I bought it 8 years ago and until a few weeks ago it had been sitting in my barn with rotten wood and seats but only has maybe 100 hours on motor.
Now it is better than new and runs out like a champ after replacing floor (transom was good), restoring fiberglass, redesigning and upholstering seating, cleaning carbs and de-carbing engine. Someone tell me where to post pics from my phone and I will post progress and final pics.
I now have a great 55 mph all purpose fishing, skiing, party barge. If I can save up enough for a canvas enclosure it will double as a pop up camper/houseboat.
The stripe removal advice here was pretty labor intensive though, using blow driers etc. So here is what I did.
Supplies needed (all available at Lowes) Warner 5 in 1 painters tool, sharpening stone, goof off, scotch bright pads, towels, DARK sunglasses.
Sharpen beveled edge of Warner tool and make sure flat edge is perfectly smooth without burs, then round off the corners slightly so they won't cut into fiberglass. If you have a lot of curves you will need a narrow 5 in one tool.
Park boat in full sun facing north. Middle of next morning scrape stripes off of hot east facing side of hull with 5 in 1 tool with flat edge of blade against hull and keep the handle very close to the hull so blade wont dig in. Be very patient as blade will gouge fiberglass if you get in a hurry. Mid afternoon scrape stripes off of hot west facing side of boat. Next dawn while boat is cool but in good light, wet down remaining stripe glue with goof off once or twice then scrape it off with 5 in one tool and wipe off with towel. Wet scotch bright pad with goof off and scrub off any remaining glue then wipe again with towel. 30 feet of 12 inch multi size, multi color stripes gone.
To custom restripe boat find someone (maybe a sign company) that does graphics for motocross bikes and trailers (call motorcycle shop or motocross track owner for references). Bike graphics people are usually creative and have experience with the curves on bike tanks and fenders and tend to be competitive on price.
I hope this helps you guys as much as you have helped me.
Pullin the kids, fishin for stripers and drinkin cold Bud on Lake Hartwell.
Thanks,
ThorSouth
I bought it 8 years ago and until a few weeks ago it had been sitting in my barn with rotten wood and seats but only has maybe 100 hours on motor.
Now it is better than new and runs out like a champ after replacing floor (transom was good), restoring fiberglass, redesigning and upholstering seating, cleaning carbs and de-carbing engine. Someone tell me where to post pics from my phone and I will post progress and final pics.
I now have a great 55 mph all purpose fishing, skiing, party barge. If I can save up enough for a canvas enclosure it will double as a pop up camper/houseboat.
The stripe removal advice here was pretty labor intensive though, using blow driers etc. So here is what I did.
Supplies needed (all available at Lowes) Warner 5 in 1 painters tool, sharpening stone, goof off, scotch bright pads, towels, DARK sunglasses.
Sharpen beveled edge of Warner tool and make sure flat edge is perfectly smooth without burs, then round off the corners slightly so they won't cut into fiberglass. If you have a lot of curves you will need a narrow 5 in one tool.
Park boat in full sun facing north. Middle of next morning scrape stripes off of hot east facing side of hull with 5 in 1 tool with flat edge of blade against hull and keep the handle very close to the hull so blade wont dig in. Be very patient as blade will gouge fiberglass if you get in a hurry. Mid afternoon scrape stripes off of hot west facing side of boat. Next dawn while boat is cool but in good light, wet down remaining stripe glue with goof off once or twice then scrape it off with 5 in one tool and wipe off with towel. Wet scotch bright pad with goof off and scrub off any remaining glue then wipe again with towel. 30 feet of 12 inch multi size, multi color stripes gone.
To custom restripe boat find someone (maybe a sign company) that does graphics for motocross bikes and trailers (call motorcycle shop or motocross track owner for references). Bike graphics people are usually creative and have experience with the curves on bike tanks and fenders and tend to be competitive on price.
I hope this helps you guys as much as you have helped me.
Pullin the kids, fishin for stripers and drinkin cold Bud on Lake Hartwell.
Thanks,
ThorSouth
