Restoring my MFG

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hi Guys.
Here's how I spent my weekend.......

Finally got my transom complete...Whewww! Polished the aluminum trim, and got the motor mounted.

Got the windshield on. I still need to fit the center section.

Got the inner cockpit sides painted and started in on the gauges.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

A pic of the dash.

Making a template and two mock-ups proved very helpful with the final install.

I'm real happy with the new steering bracket. The chrome Bezel looks super! It was worth the extra effort.

I still need to mount the Power tilt/trim switch on the upper right and a horn and Nav light switch below it.


Lastly, I finally got to Gelcote the cockpit sides

Busy, busy. Still hope to dunk it the weekend of May 8Th.

Regards,

Ed

 

[Dm82]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Wow!!! Looks great EDC. Now I know who I will be asking advice for my restoration project. Good job. Love the colors

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Wow looks great, makes that trailer look shabby. That motor looks new.
I need to refurbish my trailer. New rollers and cover the medal with rug or something because the boat always hits the trailer and fiberglass grinds off.... Maybe i pull in to far.
Matt

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Thanks DM!
Getting the colors right was a real challenge! Not much to go by. I have an original 1968 catalog, and the three photos in it were marginal at best. The catalog lists them as Tahiti Sand and Driftwood.
Of course, the 40 year old finish wasn't much help either.
I removed a piece of trim when I did my transom. Under it, was the closest color to original as I could get. Then I took a sample of the fiberglass to a paint shop and had it computer analyzed. With their formula, I did some math, worked out the tint percentages. This was all well and good, but my first quart of Gelcote was too dark, no good, so I tossed it out and started over.
All I can say is, there is no substitution for the 'ol eyeball and some trial and error. I think I got it as close as possible. Maybe someday I will see an original and find out for sure!

Regards,
Ed

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hi Matt
Yea the trailer is "shabby". It's an original "Lady Bee" Came with the boat. I like it, It's cool cause it splits in the middle, making it super easy to load and unload. Once I can get the boat in the water for a few days I'll fix 'er up

Regards,

Ed

 

[Dm82]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Where did you find the oringinal cat. at? That is something I would like to see. The only real info I have found on the 65 edinboro is the brochure at fiberglassics.com. Any suggestions or links?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Good job Ed, I have the same trailer or darn close, the tilt feature is great for storing the boat bow up high. When you re-do the trailer think about using just two bunks rather than 4, and if you lay them horizontal rather than vertical it spreads out the load better I think. i'll try to get some pics of my trailer for you, I just pulled the trailer from under the boat tonight to do maintainence on the rollers ect.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

....New rollers and cover the medal with rug or something because the boat always hits the trailer and fiberglass grinds off.... Maybe i pull in to far.

That is why I always crank my boat on. I back in to the water so that the water just hits my rear roller, then walk down the trailer to attach the hook to the bow eye, and keep tension on the strap so that it stays flush to that roller. My rollers have narrow centers with edges that are larger diameter, and the boat pretty well self-centers all the way on.

A lot more work but maybe this will work for you?

EdC: The boat is looking great- you should be proud!

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Ya i have a similar trailer. I think its original don't know what brand, it was registered as home made.
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Mine is a Sea King- a Montgomery Ward brand name. I welded the center tube- it WAS a tilt trailer but I got sick of listening to it rattle and creak.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

my jet ski trailer says tilt on it but what does tilt mean? What did you weld the tube to?
Matt

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

EdC- Maybe I missed it but what did you use to polish your aluminum trim with? It looks GREAT in the photos.

matt9923:"but what does tilt mean?" The trailer coupler and tongue from the "Y" section of the trailer has a pivot point and a pin or latch to secure it. You release the pin or latch and it hinges up there so the rear of the trailer drops for easier loading, but I never found it easier. The Niagara is light wieght, but not that light! I'd just as soon winch it on than hold my mouth just right while using the force, Luke just to get my boat on the trailer.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

"EdC- Maybe I missed it but what did you use to polish your aluminum trim with? It looks GREAT in the photos."

Hey Mark,
I used a product known the world over. It's called "Elbow grease" lol.... just kiddin'. The Aluminum transom trim was badly beat up. If it wasn't irreplaceable I would have chucked it and got a new one! The first thing I did, was to straighten it out using various hammers and custom made dollies, mounted in my bench vice. Once I had the shape looking respectable, I started in with 150 grit sandpaper in a detail sander. Then moved to 400 grit. Both used dry. After the nicks and gouges were removed, I put it on a polishing wheel mounted in my bench grinder. I used a "stick" compound for aluminum. (got it at Sears). This one piece of trim took me eight hours to get it looking good. I finished it off with Mothers Aluminum polish. I also did the lower rub rails the same way. Spent a week of evenings on each.....Thought I'd never finish.......


Regards,
Ed

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hey Mark,....Spent a week of evenings on each.....Thought I'd never finish.......

Maybe I am not as extremely anal as I thought

I am impressed. I only went to 600 wet/dry on my aluminum parts!

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Wow looks great, makes that trailer look shabby. That motor looks new.
Matt

Matt
The motor is 40 years old. It's a Mercury 800E (80hp) I spent the winter rebuilding it. For more info on it. check out this link
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=296896

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Its awesome, its brand new not 40 lol. I read that thread before, you did a perfect job. I am thinking about cleaning/ repainting my mariner 40.
Matt

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Maybe I am not as extremely anal as I thought

I am impressed. I only went to 600 wet/dry on my aluminum parts!

HeHe... The devil is in the details Buddy Ya know a man gotta do, what a man gotta do!

And...... I'm seriously thinking about doing the upper rail. If I'm really feeling self-destructive, I may even do the windshield frames!!!........naa...maybe......

Regards
Ed

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Ed, did you apply a sanding surfacer to the hull or just sand down the gelcoat before basecoating, I was thinking that primer surfacer can cover 120 grit scratches, If you didn't use a surfacer how far did you sand the gelcoat before your basecoat.
looks good beats roll and tip hands down.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

a70eliminator
I took the original gelcote to 220 after fixing everything. Sprayed on a thick base of Gelcote. Took that to 1000 grit. What I did differently was to Clear Coat from the water line up. I buffed out the Gel-coat from the water line down. I could have just buffed everything. But I had my fill of sanding Besides, I got a good deal on the clear. It's shiner too, Less maintenance in the long run. It's a lot of work, but it's worth it. Ain't never, ever gonna have to do it again.