1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

[ezmobee]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

The new windshield looks great. I'm glad you got it cuz to be honest, your plans to use the old one were kinda bummin' me out. Paint looks great too.

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Also been working on the trailer. Got the wheels degreased in the shower stall, much to SWIMBO's chagrin, (it's just too dang cold to do it outside)
Then got the bearings and seals, and changed them out and repacked the hubs, finally got the wheels and trailer rattle can painted, turns out the tires are in pretty good shape.
Before

During

After

 

[bananaboater]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Looking good, upper 50's today, time to get back to mine. Pushing the envelop with that shower cleaning!

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Got the trailer done enough to get the boat back on it. Some pics of the cool bunk roller/pads I totally rebuilt, and the spare tire and new winch.

roller down position (trailering)

roller up position (loading)

whitewall spare

Getting close to head out to the paint shop!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

The progress is looking great as usual Bret

That trailer is quite a device. Never seen one have an action on the rollers like that. Pretty neat stuff. Are you staying original with the colors?

 

[bananaboater]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

That's going to be a really nice rig when you are finished.

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

wow you'vr made quite a bit of progress since my last visit...WOW looking sweet.
that crazy lookin trailer sure cleaned up nice!

ROCK ON!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Definitely cool trailer set-up, looking good Bret!

 

[bananaboater]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........We are not a cult..........




Albert

 

[CJTaylor]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Your project has encourage me to try one of my own. I just found a Starcraft 14 footer aluminum. Could you tell me what type of wood you use on yours. Also the fasteners SS or ? Any help would be greatly appreciated. CJ Taylor

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Cult? What Cult? As long as we don't serve cherry kool-aid

Thanks for the compliments guys! The gunwale rub rail and transom are oak, the seats and dash are mahogany.

 

[North Beach]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Dang, I was gonna bring the Kool-Aid to Tinstock!

 

[vegasphotoman]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

I have the "special Koolaid" in powder form if anyone wants some for the cult....uhhh...I mean club...lol

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Vegas,

I am sure all of us would like to see you make it out to tinstock, kool aid or not!

I was able to get the new front seat bottom with new mahogany finished, as well as the old rear seat revamped. I also got a chance to polish up the horn and stern light I found. I think the bling will look nice once it is all put together

I found some old school round tail lights for the trailer, and ordered LED bulbs for them.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Down right purdy!!!! Well done!

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

That is going to look sooo sweeet...very nice work!

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

wrfalpacas,
You are doing some first class work. The boat is looking great.
Extremely nice work on the trailer too. I will have to say, I don't think I have ever seen a trailer like yours. Pretty cool.
Bob

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Thanks for the compliments I started polishing the close to 50' of aluminum trim/rubrail guard. I first stripped the paint, then used easy off to remove the scratched up anodizing, then worked thru 150, 220, and 320 grit sanding pads before hitting it with mothers mag and aluminum polish. I think it is turning out pretty well. Here is a pic of the polishing jig I set up on a sawhorse, and a comparison of before and after. I also found some led replacement bulbs for the nav lights, scince the motor has electric start, but no charging system (not offered till 58 I think) I am tryingto minimize power draw. (gotta have some spare power for the stereo system )

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Dude!

That second pic, is that a before/after sort of shot? Awesome! I thought I read that Easy Off eats into aluminum, is that right? I can only hope to get my aluminum looking that good!

Cheers!

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1957 Starcraft Ski Champ Restoration

Jas,

Easy off can eat into aluminum if left on too long, I jeft one pc overnicht and it was a little pitted, but it sanded out fine. I found 30 minutes at 70 F works best for removing the anodizing.

Bret