Andy B Posted August 19, 2024 Report Posted August 19, 2024 I'm looking for suggestions on how to finish the CS-20 I am refurbishing. I had in mind one paint scheme, but now I am waffling. What must be done before next season is the deck; it is varnished and there are lots of areas of peeling and minor wood exposure. Here is the current state: Under the waterline is black paint. It is very slippery, so I assume some graphite was added. Other than one small area this is rock-solid. While I would have chosen a different color, I will likely leave this as-is because there are other areas of the boat that need attention. Sides: above the waterline is varnish. The joinery of the panels is not great. However, the transom looks good and the varnish condition is very good; it does not need to be refinished right now. Deck: See above; it is varnish and must be replaced sooner rather than later. Cockpit: Varnished as well; moderate condition, would not need to be redone right now. Sole: A green paint of some sort. It is unsightly but still protecting. EDIT: I should add that my boat lives covered on a trailer, so I suspect that if I use a good quality varnish it would not be a yearly refinishing task. Of note, the sails are blue and white striped. My wife loves them. My initial thought was to paint the topsides a light or medium blue (I like light blue, but medium would match the sails), paint the deck white-ish, leave the transom varnished, and light gray paint for the cockpit. This is partly because I don't love the "all bright" look of the boat, and painting the topsides would cover up some of the joinery defects that I notice. However, between neighbor comments while working on the boat in my yard and numerous people stopping me at the boat launch, folks do really seem to love the bright finish of the topsides. I'm in Michigan, home of Chris-Craft, so a "woodie" look is appreciated, even if people don't know what kind of boat they are looking at. Anyway, enough rambling--I'm open to your thoughts. A lot of this is subjective, but there are some practical parts (for instance, slick wet varnish on the deck while mast raising was not fun). Let me know what you like, and feel free to share pictures! Quote
Mike Vacanti Posted August 19, 2024 Report Posted August 19, 2024 I can’t be sure but I’d bet that the bottom isn’t painted but rather coated with an epoxy graphite powder mixture. It’s a lot tougher than paint. Quote
Andy B Posted August 19, 2024 Author Report Posted August 19, 2024 That's probably it, Mike. It sure is thick, tough, and slippery. Maybe I should do the entire boat in it, kind of like those guys who coat their entire truck in bedliner! Quote
Don Silsbe Posted August 27, 2024 Report Posted August 27, 2024 You’re scaring me with that last comment, Andy! LOL When I repaint Windependent, after the Messabout, I will do something along these lines. Unfortunately, she currently had NO brightwork, which breaks my heart. Some brightwork is good to have. I had a lot on Local Honey. Since she was covered with an opaque tarp, I never had a problem with peeling varnish. Every year or three I’d give her two fresh coats. That was it. Nowadays I use only two-part polyurethane for my boats. One-part poly just isn’t as durable against abrasion & scratches. Norkan in Warren, MI carries it. Don’t believe the web site: https://www.norkan.com/Norkan_Store/search/results?search_in_description=1&zenid=9loa7b2a5q6sjq7kdhu9r7iuu5&keyword=Devoe+379 They are not sold out. Call George Spiteri, and he will mix you up what you need. George Spiteri Norkan by Jon-Don 25200 East Street Warren, MI 48089 586-350-2340 direct 313-720-8565 mobile 1 Quote
Andy B Posted August 27, 2024 Author Report Posted August 27, 2024 Don, that's the paint scheme I would choose if I was starting from scratch, absent leaving a few portions bright. That will look good! Also, you can't take the boy out of Detroit :)--"Hey, just call my buddy in Macomb County and he'll fix you up with something good". 2 Quote
Don Silsbe Posted September 17, 2024 Report Posted September 17, 2024 On 8/27/2024 at 5:02 PM, Andy B said: Also, you can't take the boy out of Detroit Expand Tell me about it! I was in Austria last month, and visiting with a friend. I had forgotten my hat, which protects my dome from the sun. He loaned me this hat: I had to turn it around, but at least I didn’t get sunburned. 1 Quote
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