1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yeah, that makes sense, that it won't slide out because it's one continuous piece. I removed the screw on both sides, assuming it was one piece on each side, but it would only stretch when I pulled on it.

That's what I wanted to know, thanks. I took a leap of faith in the weather today and moved the boat back up to my working area and messed around with it a little, the snow is finally gone. I'm really itchin' to dig in!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Are you planning to re use your rub rail?

If you are the safe way to do it would be to remove your bow nose plate (careful!!!!!!!) cut the rubrail insert, then slide it out. If you pry it out like I did there is some risk that it would break on ya.

I wonder if the sun will ever show itself here in MI???

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I tried last summer to get the bow cap off and worked it to the point where I was afraid I'd break it, & I decided to just leave it on. So since I can't get the rub rail out, I'm just going to clean it up the best I can while it's in place, using tools methods suggested in earlier threads.

At least it's warm enough to start doing that, with Wood's "miracle ball"

and some nasty cleaning chemicals.

But it's raining here today. And I've got car issues to deal with. Always something???

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

It was good to get outside today and do a little rubrail work. I tried the toilet cleaner/Comet/abrasive ball, but even with those nasty chemicals, the rubber was even nastier. I decided that it needed to come out for some real serious abrasive cleaning & got the brilliant idea that I could cut it by the bow cap and pull it out, which I did. I even pulled it a little at the back while I cut it at as much of an angle as I could, so it wouldn't end up with the cut showing when I put it back in:

It slid right out & was so grungy that I ended up attacking it by hand first with 60 grit sandpaper, then 150 and finally the dry abrasive ball to polish the up surface. I tried 220 with the orbital sander in a test spot, but that was way too aggressive. So by hand it had to be. It took quite a while but the results were worth it, even with the surprise I got when I re-inserted it...it was too short! I thought if anything it would stretch from all the handling, but it shrunk. I can't fingure that out.

Luckily, it was only just enough to be covered by the corner cap after I drilled a new hole for a new screw.

Here's the before & after payoff. I'll do the other side another day. Should be a little easier as it's not quite so filthy.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Beautiful improvement!!!! Excellent work LL!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, but it was a big mistake to cut the rub rail. The length changes quite a bit with the temperature, sometimes it looks OK, sometimes it has a big gap in the front. Still trying to figure out why it was originally installed with such a stretch to it. I'm probably going to have to replace it, but that's not a high priority right now.

I had some more thoughts on the transom height. Today I got an accurate measurement from the mounting bracket down to the cavitation plate, and it comes to just about 19". You can see from the photo, when I do get it trimmed in so it is pretty much vertical, it will measure just about 19".

At this point, I can adjust the transom height from what it is now, 20.5", down to 19" by cutting down the top of the board with a band saw. If I do that, the plate should be just about even with the bottom at the keel, and I would be able to raise it if needed by using the different mounting holes in the bracket. Does this sound right? Or should I go one further an make it 18"? That would give an extra inch leeway for adjusting.

I really want to get this right the first time so I don't have to take it apart and do it again later.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, but it was a big mistake to cut the rub rail. The length changes quite a bit with the temperature, sometimes it looks OK, sometimes it has a big gap in the front. Still trying to figure out why it was originally installed with such a stretch to it. I'm probably going to have to replace it, but that's not a high priority right now.

Is it possible to stretch it (when it's warm out) then screw it in place so it stays put? Maybe hit it with a heat gun to warm it up?

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Is it possible to stretch it (when it's warm out) then screw it in place so it stays put? Maybe hit it with a heat gun to warm it up?

Now that you mention it, I probably could do that, but the screw in the front would show. Might not look so bad, at least temporarily if I use decent SS screws. It would look like an amateur did it, but there's a reason for that!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

As I work on stripping the hull, I've had a change of plan. I've decided to just strip the bottom to bare aluminum because the paint and primer layers are really on there. It's been taking 2-3 applications of the stripper on each section to get it really clean, and this is hard-working stuff. I've found that the wire brush is more effective & quicker than a scraper or combination of the two. With so many rivets, the scraper is almost useless.

I tested a small spot on the side and that paint is not only solid, but it's in a lot better condition than the bottom paint. I'm going to need to fill several dents in the bottom. I have what I need for painting the bare aluminum, and will just have to get the correct primer for going over the sanded existing paint on the sides.

This represents about 8 hours work over 3 or 4 sessions. I'm just getting my system down today .

Otherwise, I've been working on the trailer adding a centering rear roller, adjusting the fenders & replacing parts.

 

[chrisp929]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

forget the dents on the bottom unless they prevent function .. you will never see the bottom again .. even on a trailer .. i can't see my bottom unless on get down close to the ground .. dont waste your time ..also consider just sanding the bottom paint to scuff up, and painting .. why kill yourself to strip ? .. to much work !

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Wow, that is a clean looking alum hull you have there! Nice work man!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, clean and getting cleaner. Had to quit today because it got colder and the stripper stopped working!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

forget the dents on the bottom unless they prevent function .. you will never see the bottom again ....also consider just sanding the bottom paint to scuff up, and painting .. why kill yourself to strip ? .. to much work !

There are a couple dents I'm going to fill for sure, right on some rivets, just as added assurance it won't leak. Since it's half done, I might as well finish the bottom & will sand/prime/paint the sides. That's what I learned today....too much work. I'm finding the paint to be more sound than I figured it was. But the bottom has a fair amount of peeling paint too, gotta take care of that.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The stripping is coming along faster and this is my new favorite stripper (in the orange can):

I bought another can of the stuff in the red can and went to use it today and it was thin and yellow instead of thick and clear, and it didn't work. Took it back and checked the last two cans they had on the shelf and they were both like that, so I paid the extra $4 for this stuff and it's well worth it. It's much faster working. I found that this also warrants more careful protection as it really burns if you get any on you. Had to add a long sleeve shirt and gloves to my garb in addition to the eye protection ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY when using any of this stuff.

I also took one of the defective cans off the shelf and took it to the paint counter and gave the young feller a lesson on what it should look like & told him him his last two cans were no good. He took it well and appreciated that I took the time to let them know. I figured if I could save somebody else the wasted time of running back to the store, it was worth the trouble.

So the stripping is about 90% finished, then on to the sanding.

Note: Just noticed it was 2 years ago today I bought the beast.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looking GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD LL. Careful with that stuff... Looks like it is Potent!!!

 

[Woodsjj]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Wow looks great cant wait to get mine back from the soda blaster had a little more work to do to prep it so I am off schedule by about a week and a half or so but yours looks great!!!

 

[CBGale2]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looking good Lake, dont spill any on the sides. LOL

I tried some of that red can stuff on mine and it went back to Wally world. My favorite was Dads magic strip and Zip Strip worked pretty good too.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks. I finally got the method down so it goes pretty quick. First, apply, wait a few minutes & scrape, being careful around the rivets. That takes care of the paint layer. Then apply, wait & scrape again to get most of the primer off. Then apply a light coat & brush with the wire brush until it's clean, then wash it off with the hose. It actually goes pretty fast that way.

I did drip a little on the sides, but hosed it off right away & no troubles.

The red can stuff took 10 minutes to act, the stuff from the orange can takes about 5 minutes max. It acts instantly on skin:redface:.

 

[Sunbeamland]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

A word of advice on methylene chloride (active ingrdient in all of those strippers that are not listed as "green") and aluminum. Do not leave it on too long. It corodes and pits aluminum. I have spent 25 years in the paint and coatings industry and know this from a science and experience point of view! I am not saying not to use it, but get it off once the paint has bubbled AND rinse it all off when you are done for the day. The stuff burns when you get it on your skin because it is rapidly removing the moisture from it. Nasty, but indespensible stuff and nothing removes paint as well!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Welcome Sunbeamland! Thanks for looking in & the materials tips.

You're right, nasty but indispensible stuff. You have to be real careful with it. I've found that using it outdoors like I am, once the bubbling stops, there's no need to let it keep working. It's pretty much done all it's going to do with that application. I've been doing my 3 applications, followed by a good high pressure rinse from the hose.