1985 Bayliner 2750 Ciera Sunbridge Resto

[eggs712]

Everything is put back together, and it looks much better than before.



I also replaced some old hoses in the bilge with Trident #148, re-sealed the old bronze thru hull (replaced the wood backer with PVC board), omitted the OEM fuel filter for a Racor Fuel/water separator, and deleted the rusty steel fuel lines for hose.

Side question: does anyone know the best way to clean up Permatex #2 without harming enamel?

 

[eggs712]

All the old bottom paint has been removed via sanding with 60 grit to the gelcoat (nasty job). Fairing is nearly complete using thickened epoxy. Sanding should be complete today.

Also, I finished replacing all the sanitation hoses in the bilge after diluting and draining the really old head holding tank fluid (I put that job off as long as possible).

After fairing, I'll be using Sea Hawk Tuff Stuff barrier coat below the waterline followed by tractor paint topcoat. I'll also paint the hull sides up to the blue stripe.

 

[eggs712]

Forgot to add: I did some paint experiments after reading others' occasional issues with enamel not curing over fresh epoxy. Both Rustoleum and Majic hardened tractor paints both cured fine with a 3 hour hotcoat over Tuff Stuff. This was at 80 degrees and 80% humidity.

 

[eggs712]

The barrier coat is on; it took 3 coats and 3 1/2 gallons plus the first topcoat of gloss white enamel applied last night. It's a heavy orange peel texture, but below waterline so I don't care.

I also applied Rustoleum gray tractor enamel primer to the hull sides, but could not get it to self-level well using fine foam rollers and thinned at 5% with naptha (instructions said not to thin more than that). I was hoping for at least a decent topside finish, but I've also been a shoddy painter. After watching some videos, I'm going to try one of the cheap, electric airless sprayers for the remaining coats.

Today will be spent taping off well for overspray and sanding down the primer with 600 to hopefully save a decent finish.

 

[eggs712]

The $40 Amazon electric sprayer worked surprisingly well. I had to use the smallest included 1.0 tip and thinned 2:1 to get a fine spray; it can really dump out some paint fast. The hot weather let me shoot all four coats today. It's not a perfect finish, but looks good from ten feet away. I'll upload a picture tomorrow.

In a couple weeks, I'll move the blocks around so I can finish painting those little spots. Then it's more waiting for paint to dry before testing the motor on a lake.

 

[redneck joe]

take the pic from12 foot away so it looks 'fantastic' not just 'good'

 

[eggs712]

Going to start putting tools away, installing cushions, and prep for a splash over the coming weeks.