1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Hey MP, that is some serious fiberglass there. Looks like your making headway.
Glen

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

If that transom doesn't end up fitting in the boat you can always use it to bulletproof a vehicle.

Nice work, glad to see you not towing the rig to the scrapyard

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Yep it should be pretty strong. Didn't think going the extra mile with free glass was a bad thing, I just had to make sure the transom would slide into the boat.

HA -I see you've been keeping up on the craigs list thread. I backed out of that deal for now. Might still go for it if I get a call with a sweet deal before I spend too much $ here. Thinking this transom would fit either one but I hold off laminating it for a week or so.

My 7" grinder is crapping out, sounds like it needs new brushes. BTW-Its a buffer 2400 rpm so I have some control over it. Just tried some scotch brite pads on my 4 1/2" grinder and I'm diggin that! Fast and clean. In the corners, gunwales, around rivits and in between the strakes with a 4" cup wire wheel is the ticket. I may still try the Kleen Strip in the orange can or just return it. I think I finally have a mechanical paint removal system that works for me.

 

[chrisp929]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

i just stripped my boat with ZIP STRIP. worked WAY better than the home depot kleen strip ... i got mine at local phillips/ace hardware .. key is to NOT strip in the hot sun, and put only enough on and not to much. not enough dries to fast and you have to redo .. to much and it takes ALL the paint off fast but leaves the paint a sloppy mush to clean up. If you put just enough on, the paint comes off, and is easy to scrape into a pail or garbage can without it turning to soup.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks for the advice Chris. Does it take off more than 1 coat at a time? I've tried 4 chems so far and they all claim to take off multiple coats, problem is none so far take off multiple coats in 1 application.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Productive weekend and the weather has been great. Stripped the paint off the roof and gutted the inside. Top sides are almost completely stripped too. Zip strip works pretty good but no matter what I use I still need 3 applications, (there is alot of paint on this boat) the easiest so far is the scotch brite wheel on my 4" grinder. The windshield was a bear to get out due to that sealing tape they use.

First coat of epoxy down on the transom.

Finally got the JohnnyRude cowl painted to my liking and TnT reinstalled. I'll post up before and after pics when 100% done. That's indoor work that can wait.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

What your plan for the cracked lower windshield? We're struggling with that on my buddy's Chieftain. We bought a huge piece of plexi to try to replace it with and promptly ruined it when trying to cut it (we're morons though and used a jig saw with too aggressive a blade).

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I might check out the zip strip stuff, looks like you are making progress

Is that ok to use if you have a well? My only concern is toxic chemicals contaminating our water.

BTW it looks like there's a water-ready rig lurking in the background...so if that paint is driving you nuts I'd recommend a quick cruise around the lake.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Lot o grunt work done right there Michael, nice job man!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Great Job MP, she looks real good naked.
Glen

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike,

Fellow iBoater lakelover used this and said it worked great on his boat

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

The top sides are stripped! YES!!!!

EZ - I'm going to replace it with 3/16" smoked polycarbonate (Lexan) or plexi. Ploycarb cuts well with wood blades and can be bent cold. Plexi is tricky as its prone to crack. On a table saw I use a 60t carbide blade (works good for aluminum too). If using a jig saw with plexi I'd sandwich with boards then cut. Keep it ridged. I'm lucky to have a template. I have to make one for a buddy at the same time If I get the hang of it I might make some to order. Will inform. Also going with tinting film on side windows. Top glass will stay clear.

HA & WOG - The orange can Kleen strip is what I'm going to use next (I got that from lakelover too), can't wait. That will be the 9th product I try! Will post up rankings soon.

Dozer - Thanks man. The roof really shines. Sunday morning the misses was on the bow helping remove the windshield hardware and was blinded by the reflection of the sunrise.

Yes - Thats my SS in the back ground that hasn't been splashed this year yet. She is all gassed up and ready to go...Killing me but I knew I'd be torn between these 2 boats.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

When you're cutting Plexiglass with a jigsaw use a fine tooth Metal Cutting blade Masking tape both sides and WD 40 Works GREAT!!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike, My scientific method for paint removal: down some Red Bull with a black coffee chaser after a bad day at work and start stripping that hull, that'll get her clean. That's alot of hull though so keep checking the heart rate. Looks good Bud, I can see it decked out with down riggers already.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Thanks WOG. I like there are pros and cons for each material. Another decision to be made here.:facepalm:

Been exprimenting with ways to remove that old nasty vinyl glue; Coat it with any paint stripper after a few minutes wipe it with a piece of Scotch brite pad soaked in a solvent like MEK, Xylol, lacquer thinner etc. Comes right off. i think I'll clean my sides tonight just for the fun of it. This has to be dangerous because it really works.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike, My scientific method for paint removal: down some Red Bull with a black coffee chaser after a bad day at work and start stripping that hull, that'll get her clean. That's alot of hull though so keep checking the heart rate. Looks good Bud, I can see it decked out with down riggers already.

Hey big guy I might try that. Got a Nos going right now. After all the trials I've gone through I may come up with my own stripper mix.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

Mike, My scientific method for paint removal: down some Red Bull with a black coffee chaser after a bad day at work and start stripping that hull, that'll get her clean.

I am writing this down, this is really good stuff.

If I take a shot of Zip Strip (in the orange can) just before I start my work, spose that might move things along?

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

A shot of zip strip will get you moving alright. Right for the head then hospital.
Seriously tho..It burns tender skin and open cuts quite nicely.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

I used to build pools and used Epoxy Stone for Decks. We used a LOT of Xylene for cleanup. Nasty stuff but it WILL cut about any kind of adhesive that I have found. VERY toxic so WEAR a GOOD respirator.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1974 Starcraft Chieftain 18' OB refit

^^^Believe it. I made the mistake of wiping down my cowl with it between sandings to fix runs. That stuff lifted the next coat of paint! Resand and repeat till it stopped.

Didn't get any sanding done last night. Had to do a bit of damage control in the yard and put away all my parts that were laying around. Also cleaned out the drains in the ribs. Man there was alot of crap in there. The knee brace was packed with a bunch of black crud and I'd really like to get a good visual of the hull in there but I can only see some of it using a mini mag light when Its finally cleaned good and dried.

80s today and 90s tomorow with t-storms - not the best grinding weather.