1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

[sphelps]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Sorry about the epoxy mishap jb .. Our flooring guys just used some type epoxy over an old concrete slap in the hospital I am working at . They have had problems with moisture coming up and the flooring not sticking . Wonder if it,s the same stuff .
Nice score on the nav lights ! I almost bid on one of those bee hive anchor lights but thought it might be too pre 64 for the mfg . Should fit right in on the Duracraft though !

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Thanks SP, it was well stuck, just didn't get hard. Sticky like molasses spilled yesterday....

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Sorry I meant the epoxy was the cure for the moisture coming through the slab . :facepalm: Then a self leveling filler was applied over that . The epoxy they used seemed like some really good stuff.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Oh, well. The stuff we usually use is honey colored, this stuff is clear, cures clear & is non-yelllowing. Everything I've read said it's good stuff.

Truth be told, the stuff we usually use is what I used on the 1st SC Jet's seat planks:
1st coat of the 'sealer' type epoxy that's honey colored, cured great:

Then 2 coats of tan finish coat polyphatic resin:

No problems in applying or curing.....

The polyphatic is UV stable & almost as aggressive as the sealer epoxy is..... Maybe I should have used that :facepalm:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Got a 'new' improved heat box setup, and figured out the mixing cup has 2sides :facepalm:

Turned on the propane & warmed everything (transom ply, epoxy, mix cups & the heat box) up to a nice & toast 85F.

Used the METRIC side & used 50ml hardener & 100ml resin, mixed really really well by hand w/; square edged paddle to get the corners & sides scrapped & blended well.

Then flipped all the heat off.

Used a 2nd spreader (how did I know then to grab 2??) & got a much thinner coat of epoxy laid down & brushed onto the edges, wiping the down edge as I went.

Using Gibbles waxpaper smoothing method, I laid down 2 overlapping sheets of Reynolds waxpaper, used a DIFFERENT spreader, it's made out of that translucent cutting board stuff (HDPE??):

And gently worked the waxpaper smooth & air bubble free.....

Once I secured the waxpaper so it wouldn't curl, I fired up the heat again:

Ran the propane heat for about 30min & turned it off, but left the small thermostatic electric heater running. When I left it was keeping the box & all in it a nice warm 78F. Quick check about 730am, & hopefully clean peel the waxpaper & keep the heat on for a good portion of the day.....

It'll be like an early xmas unwrapping it in the am

Prayers are expected but greatly appreciated.....ray2:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Oops, I forgot, cleaned up the epoxy spreader w/ mineral spirits this time. Worked like a charm. Thanks Jig.

What a newb, I should have known the acetone would melt the 1st one :cold:

It was the perfect PERIOD at the end of a less then stellar effort the 1st go around...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Looks like a dandy fine job JBC!

I'm sure this go-'round will get the blue ribbon.:first:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Yeah, just had to extricate myself from a cranio-rectal inversion....

Thanks Jig. As a test, I left the mix cup open air out of the heat. By the time I left, it to had started to stiffen, beyond what I'd expect from the cold, 45F +/-.....

Oh and I'm using our infrared thermometer to make sure stuff is warm BEFORE I get started....

 

[sphelps]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Sounds like ya had a much better go at it this time .. Pulling for a perfect cure for ya !

 

[saginawbayboater]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

I think you got it Jb. Nice heater box. :thumb:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Psst, hey buddy, the Admiral is out for a girls night.............

So...................

Yeah, I don't think I'm waiting until tomorrow am to do a cure check-in :facepalm:

Lets see, left it @630p, so 1030p will be post application T-4hrs+.......

 

[Trooper82]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

That is a good idea, ironing out with wax paper...loks like you have the process down pat now....

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Well, there's good news & bad news....


The good news is that there's no real bad news, and the bad news is there's not any good news either, yet.

Epoxy seems to be curing pretty good, and the box was still @78F. The big hang up was that the waxpaper didn't want to peel up cleanly. I don't think it'll be a problem to pull the remaining bits in the morning..... We shall see........

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Glad things went better this time JB, but I guess it is too early for the final results.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Well, mixed reviews. The waxpaper scraps came off w/ NO problem this am, and the epoxy is well on it's way to being cured. Nice & dry, plus barely able to dent it w/ a fingernail. So that's GREAT.

As a test, I left the mix cup open air out of the heat. By the time I left, it to had started to stiffen, beyond what I'd expect from the cold, 45F +/-......

I checked in on this too this am, and it's still holding @45F, but is mostly dry to the touch, it's puddled in the bottom of the cup, so it is thick. But it too is moving forward curing.

However, not really a great smooth finish like I expected... But it'll work...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

Oops, forgot the pix:

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

However, not really a great smooth finish like I expected... But it'll work...

Looks good and looks like you've got it whipped this time.

One of the things I really like about the USComposites 635 thin epoxy is that it's self leveling and gives a really smooth and glossy finish when cured.

Another thing is that because it is so thin of a mix it penetrates really well too.

Just something to keep in mind the next time you need to make an epoxy purchase.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

I'm about as Anal as you can get. After a season with the BF, here's what I discovered. All that fretting and worrying I did over getting every little detail perfect... well my Grandkids and kids never even noticed and quite frankly neither did I. and Now she's got a LOT of dings and bangs and chips and marks on her that well, I just don't worry about cuz we had fun and made memories!!!!

Bottom Line!!! Get er Dun!!! and start makin Memories!!!!!

That's my Story and I'm Stickin To it!!!!

 

[59 Fatty]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

JB,
I totally agree with wood. I've been sweating all of the little stuff too much. I have finally come to the point where the little details are not as important as I thought. I went to an antique boat motor meet, and I only looked at the motors I wanted as an overall presentation. Then after I thought "this one looks good" did I ever get into picking it apart. So my new attitude is this...It's good enough for who it's for.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1957 Duracraft Duraflite Custom

However, not really a great smooth finish like I expected... But it'll work...

Sorry, 59F & WOG, maybe I should have been a bit more specific: IT'LL WORK^^^^

Not really complaining about the look of the cured epoxy, it was the uneven texture. Since I'm limited in working time & conditions, I won't usually be applying a 2nd or 3rd coat while the current coat is still 'green', thus insuring a good chemical & mechanical bond w/ minimal sanding. It'll take a little more work then that.

The wax paper started to curl & ripple a tad after the epoxy started to tack over. That's why I attempted to pull the waxpaper last nite. Just in case the surface would relax a bit as it finished curing. No luck.

You can see the rippled texture on the far left end of the transom in the pix I posted this am:

It was pretty much across the entire face of the transom. But it only bothers me in that it'll take a little bit more time & sandpaper to hit it flat for the next coat. Else:

I'm good w/ it

It cured :watermelon:
:whoo::whoo: twice for good measure.

I'm headed the wrong way late this afternoon, so not sure a coat on the back will happen tonight. We'll see....

{This space dedicated to the memory of Don S: The Oracle of the Sea. Thank you for all you've done}