Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

[kabookey]

Greetings. First off, I have to say thank you to all of you participate in these forums; the wealth of knowledge contained within these threads helped me to do a complete restoration (photos coming soon) on my 1987 Sea Ray Seville in 2009.

I have recently started on a "re-restoration" due to an unfortunate oil-extractor explosion (1 gallon of crude soaking my carpet and interior) along with following some bad advice suggesting the use of that green fence post preservative on my deck.

Now that I fully understand the logic behind "carpet has no place in a boat", I have decided to go the gelcoat or paint route (still deciding that one), but need some advice regarding fairing and tabbing.

In the photo below, the red area shows where the seat used to be, and is approx. 1/8" lower than the surrounding areas. I plan on filling the void with a mixture of poly, phenolic microballoons, and cabosil, but had a question about the order I should go about this. If my ultimate goal is to have the interior hull/deck even and smooth for gelcoat or paint; would it be recommended to do the compound/fairing first, then tab in the deck, or tab in the deck and then compound/fair over the tabbing? Will the microballon/cabosil mix be best for this type of repair, or should I go with milled fiber or chopped strand instead?



Thank you in advance for your help, I look forward to finally getting to interact with the fine members of this forum.

Kabookey

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Tab, fair, and sand... fair and sand... fair and sand... fair and sand until you get your deck looking like you want the gel coat to look, whatever you gel over... that's what it's going to look like. If you can see cloth or CSM fibers before you gel, you'll see tham after you gel too.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

I just ordered glass microballoons and cabosil from RAKA. I believe I saw something on their website saying that the phenolic balloons are meant for epoxy resin only. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I believe there is a difference between the phenolic microballoons and glass microballoons (which can be used with poly). Again, someone please correct me if am wrong. I am here to learn too.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

I believe I saw something on their website saying that the phenolic balloons are meant for epoxy resin only.

Good catch Slacker, the phenolic ballons are just for epoxy. Phenolic resin products are an epoxy resin and shouldn't be used when using polyester resin or gel coat (poly too).

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Thanks Jig. I hope you didn't already buy the phenolic balloons kabookey.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

One other thing. I read you weren't sure if you were going the paint or gelcoat route. From my understanding primer and paint have self leveling properties, which to me would mean that you may not have to do as much sanding in comparison to if you were going to use gelcoat, which does not self level. I think Jig is absolutely right when talking about fair and sand until you get the surface you want. I am quite curious though if you were to choose primer/paint if you would save yourself some sanding time. I have read different things about gelcoat saying that it is more durable, but that it also requires more maintenance to keep a nice shine and requires polishing/buffing more than paint.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Jig, thank you for your reply. I know I have a ton of finishing work to do but strangely enough I am looking forward to it.

Slacker, luckily I have not purchased the M.balloons yet so I will most likely go the glass bubbles route. I am leaning more towards paint, perhaps the two part Perfection.

I will keep you all posted on my progress. Thank you again.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

My 2? worth...I used Rustoleum Pro Oil Paint with added Hardener (this basically makes it a 2 part paint) on my Boat deck. 3 Coats. 1st and second coats got sprinkled with Playground sand while wet. Lighty brushed offed and vacuumed then next coat applied and repeated. Third coat was just a plain cover coat. I got a nice gentle on the feet, anti skid deck surface that after one season has held up extremely well. My boat is well maintained and covered at all times. Cost of coating the deck...$62.00 with leftovers. The link in my signature has info on how to mix the paint for spraying. No thinning required on the deck.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Woodonglass, just checked out the link in your sig and I must say I am impressed; that coat is absolutely beautiful (reminds me of the shell on an Easter M&M). I think you might have just saved me a few hundred dollars...

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Do you have any more pics of your work so far? Just curious how it is coming along.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Do you have any more pics of your work so far? Just curious how it is coming along.

I will be posting some photos very soon; I am putting together a before-after-after gallery since this is my 2nd go around with this boat. Did you ever find a supplier for the Arucoply around Ocala?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Have you done the fill work on the deck yet? If not I have some suggestions for you.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

Have you done the fill work on the deck yet? If not I have some suggestions for you.

Past few days have been spent grinding and removing foam (planning on doing some plywood shopping this wknd). Still debating on how I want to go about the deck; I found a newer Sea Ray interior I like and I might try to replicate it. This along with some snap-in carpet would make this older Seville quite unique IMO. This plan is still tentative so I certainly would love any suggestions/advice you have. Thank you again Wood!

 

[mwe-maxxowner]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

My 2? worth...I used Rustoleum Pro Oil Paint with added Hardener (this basically makes it a 2 part paint) on my Boat deck. 3 Coats. 1st and second coats got sprinkled with Playground sand while wet. Lighty brushed offed and vacuumed then next coat applied and repeated. Third coat was just a plain cover coat. I got a nice gentle on the feet, anti skid deck surface that after one season has held up extremely well. My boat is well maintained and covered at all times. Cost of coating the deck...$62.00 with leftovers. The link in my signature has info on how to mix the paint for spraying. No thinning required on the deck.

Did you spray yours, wood? If it could be rolled successfully I might rething gelling mine. Sounds like similar costs, but maybe easier to get right than gel.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

All you really need for that area is cabosil and some cut up csm to make what's known as "Tiger Hair" Or "Hairy Peanut Butter" It will be Strong as Heck and fill the area quickly. Once it's filled you would then use the Glass bubble mix (You'd only need about 2 cups of it mixed to the consistency of Mayonaise) to make a final Skim Coat to spread over the top to fill in the air pockets and voids and make it smooth as glass.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

I work 12.5 hr shifts at the hospital overnight. Just worked the last 4 nights. I have been trying to finish grinding on my boat when I get off in the morning before going to bed so I haven't had time to look for the arauco boards. I have a seminar to go to today but will hopefully get on it in the evening. Glad to hear that you have been making progress. Wood has been giving me some excellent advise as well. This is a great site.

 

[kabookey]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

I work 12.5 hr shifts at the hospital overnight. Just worked the last 4 nights. I have been trying to finish grinding on my boat when I get off in the morning before going to bed so I haven't had time to look for the arauco boards. I have a seminar to go to today but will hopefully get on it in the evening. Glad to hear that you have been making progress. Wood has been giving me some excellent advise as well. This is a great site.

Damn. I give you credit man, that is a tough schedule. I will be looking for Arauco this weekend so I will keep you posted if I find anything. Regarding your grinding, what kind of disc are you using? I have been using 36grit flap discs and they TEAR through material like there is no tomorrow (wish I would have known about these earlier). I also found this gem ($15 @ HD). It's rounded so I was able to get into the corners w/o cutting into the hull.

 

[Slacker411]

Re: Fairing before or after tabbing deck?

I have been using 36 grit flapdisks as well from harbor freight. I do not recommend their cheapest version of grinder though. I burned up 6 of them in grinding my boat. I have finished grinding the entire area that will be below the deck where the stringers attach etc. I have probably an hours worth of grinding left on the sides, or gunwhales as I think they are called. I can't wait to be able to put the grinder down for a while and start fabricating the stringers and cut the transom wood. Looks like your doing a good job grinding!