getting the brightwork ready

[Charlie Jones]

We've been working on the trim on the Princess and my wife came in to assist so I could do some other things. She doesn't really mind the sanding, etc but when it comes time to varnish this much trim--

[attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin]

[Charlie Jones]

She likes to do it THIS way

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[Klaus]

Very neat Charlie, is that a high pressure, low velocity spray gun or a low pressure, high velocity?

I never thought of spray varnishing, perhaps because most varnished parts are in situ on my boat and there would be too much making off.

Klaus

[Charlie Jones]

Klaus - that's just a regular old high pressure suction gun - a Binks touch-up gun. I have 5 or 6 of the high pressure ones and I'm too old to change. The HVLP's are very nice and use less material, but at 63 years old I can't justify the expense of new guns when the old ones still work. I'm not gonna be running the furniture shop THAT much longer (I hope ) before I retire.

No- brightwork that is attached isn't really worth the trouble of taping every thing off for. Nor is it worth spraying when you only have a very few pieces. But when it's all laying out on a table and you have an entire boats' worth, including hatch frames, etc which aren't shown in the picture, THEN it's sure worth doing. After the sanding is done, Laura can shoot the whole lot in just a tad under 30 minutes. And NO brush marks !!

[Steve Day]

I like the spray gun technique. I have an older Devilbiss gun that my Dad had. I've personally put a few gallons of paint through that gun many years ago and just cannot bear the thought of giving up that gun.

I am definately going to remember this for future projects and put that gun to good use. I really had not given the idea of varnishing with a gun a lot of thought until I saw the picture of Laura using yours.

I look forward to getting to meet you folks over in the Mobile Bay/Pensacola area sometime in the near future.

Steve

[Andrew]

Charlie

That's a great way to spped things up...

Do you think the same technique could be used with thinned epoxy?

If it can, I was thining of spraying a 'final coat' on the hull of my weekender to even out any brushmaks I leave behind.

Thanx

Andrew

[Guest]

Will you make it this weekend?

[warthog5]

QUOTE: Do you think the same technique could be used with thinned epoxy?

You could be opening up a BIG can of worms if the epoxy tries to kick off.

[Frank Hagan]

Not to highjack this thread for my narrow, personal gain, but Charlie ... how big a compressor do you need to use one of the small guns like that? I'd love to be able to spray on small quantities of finish.

[Charlie Jones]

Frank- it doesn't take much air to run those touch up guns. We have a 2 HP portable one here at the house which drives all the spray guns quite well. Any reasonable compressor will do it as long as the storage tank is a fair size. Where she's using the gun is at the shop where we have a 6 hp, 60 gallon unit.

Oyster- damned if I know. I've done 12 hour days for 4 days now. Have most of the construction done. Built the companionway hatch and the tiller yesterday and today. Mostly all I have left is installing the trim, plugging the holes, and installing the hardware, plus rigging the boat. Oh- and getting her on the trailer, but that should only be a couple hour job. The chain falls are still in place so all we have to do is lift her up and slide the trailer under.

Andrew. No- I don't. The Gougeons DO NOT recommend thinning epoxy nor do the other major suppliers. Changes the stuff someway. I'd just roll on a really thin, well rolled out coat as a final, using a foam roller from WEST or other epoxy supplier. That's what I do and it doesn't take a lot of extra sanding . DON"T use the grey rollers from Walmart, etc. The epoxy will take them apart in just seconds.

[Frank Hagan]

Travis must be champing at the bit! I'm surprised he isn't camped out in front of your shop.

At least you are in an area with a long sailing season. It would be "cruel and unusual punishment" to deliver that Princess to some snow-bound owner, who had to wait until spring to launch it!

[Travis Votaw]

Yep, Frank, I was tempted to go down and hang out, but that was the last thing Charlie needed. I will be going down on Wednesday, though. Charlie says maybe I can do some "gofer" work if necessary and save him some time that way.

As for sailing her, I have a pretty tight window for that. I'm scheduled for knee replacement surgery on November 1 and again on the other knee on December 13, so the last two weeks in October looks like it will be the only time I can sail this year.

By the way, congratulations on you P19. I got some tremendous pictures of one sailing in 20 kts of wind on Lake Texoma last year.

Charlie has done a superb job on the Princess, and been great to work with. I know I'm going to really enjoy trailering her around the country and sailing with folks.

[Guest]

Charles. may I make a suggestion to you. Its the details that take the longest, but cannot be rushed. This is the norm coming down to the wire. Wooden Boat Shows are fun to socialize, but rarely bring work out of them. This has been the consensous over time. There maybe one soul wonder into your life. But most of the shows bring out two types of folks, one with a facination to see extinct animals, they have only read about in boating magazines or seen in the movies, and like minded folks looking at what can be done with their own next project.

I can't wait to see the finished project. But when it gets on the water, most sell themselves to the hardy souls that have the patience to pursue such a project that is required and as both of you have seen throughout this undertaking. A pat on the back from afar, and a pat on the back to your misses, Charles.