72 Thunderbird Formula w/twin 165hp Mercs

[goin70]

Mark, The Royal Blue color is perfect and with the bottom painted it will be very sharp. I appreciate the primer and paint information. I am going to check it out when I get ready to paint my Formula 190. I know you must be anxious to get this completed. Keep up the great work, you will be boating this year.

 

[Mark72233]

Here are a few pictures of that curb or base I made for the anchor hatch. I still need to sand it down and smooth out the transition.

 

[Mark72233]

Pulled the tape off on the water line. Doesn't look bad.

 

[nurseman]

Looks good Mark! I like your solution to the hatch mount, should look factory when you get it smoothed out! I have to admit, every winter about this time, I get real envious of you guys who still have green grass and can work in the driveway!

P.S. I like the color...

 

[archbuilder]

Funny I was thinking the same thing as nurseman.....wow everything there is green

The paint color is great! Keep up the good work!

 

[Mark72233]

Yep so far the winter hasn't been that bad its been back and forth with the rain and than cold weather (40's) rolling in for a week or so. Like right now it rained hard last night and now it is blowing 25-30mph and 50* and dropping down into the mid 30's tonight by next week it will be back up to the mid 60's. I got a question for you paint guys. Sunday should be sunny and mid 50's, too cold to paint and if I do paint should I use more hardener and or more or less reducer/Acetone.

 

[Mark72233]

And the green stuff is mostly weeds :lol:

 

[archbuilder]

I don't think i would change the hardener, its still going to canalize, it will just take it longer due to the cooler weather. If you are using the acetone for thinner I don't think I would change, but you may have to use lighter coats since it will take longer for the acetone to evaporate and the paint to start tacking up. if you are using some other reducer, you might check to see if you can get it in a different "temperature". Some reducers come in different formulas that are for warmer or cooler conditions. Basically the difference is in how fast they evaporate. I don't think acetone comes in different temperatures,, but I could be wrong.

 

[NorthwestChap]

Mark, had a chance to catch up on your project. It's looking great. I love the history of your boat, as it's been such a big part of your life. Of course with a restoration as big as this, it makes it an even bigger part. Looking forward to seeing it on the water.

 

[Mark72233]

Thanks Northwest, yes I hope I get it done soon my wife is so over this boat and the time and money already spent, WOW . Its been 549 days and counting since I started this post and project. :frusty:

 

[NorthwestChap]

There are a lot on here that have you beat, as far as time on the project, including me. Your progress is pretty amazing actually. It takes time to do things right, especially when you have to learn how to do it along the way. Keep on keeping on.

 

[Corjen1]

Mark, also just catching up. Like the others have said, the boat looks great!! Im glad to see you are hanging with it and getting it done!!

 

[sphelps]

I'm with arch .. Keep the mix the same ... Looks great I like the dark blue !
We got today the rain you got last night .... Gotta work outside tomorrow and it's gunna be windy and freezing ! Like in the 40's ! :smow::fear:

 

[archbuilder]

How do you guys handle that brutal cold?

 

[nurseman]

Must be something wrong with me... temp got into the 20's here and I thought it felt pretty good!

 

[Guest]

Hello Capt. Mark:

Haven't stopped by in a while but I wanted to see how you were doing with the old Formula. The paint scheme you chose will look great! I painted my 14' Sea Nymph that color with a red boot stripe and she "popped"

 

[Mark72233]

CaptErich, that is what I have been thinking about doing with the red boot stripe. Did you paint it red or use wide pin stripe tape

 

[Guest]

The one in the picture is actually the spray rail painted fire red with Interlux Boot-Top.

However, Both of my 22' Hiliners (below) have blue bottoms with a red boot top and they use the pin stripe tape with excellent results. Since the Tape comes in various widths form 3/4" to almost 3", you can choose what looks best. I used the 3/4" tape on the Hiliner , but your Formula may look better with a 1". MHO

 

[harleyman1975]

Mark, have you considered using a white bottom paint instead of an enamel? I'm worried that the enamel will blister and peel from sitting in the water...even gelcoat eventually succomes to osmosis

 

[Mark72233]

harleyman1975, this will be a trailer queen as it has been said by Woodonglass. She will always be trailered except for maybe a few times a year she may spend a couple or 3 days on the water so I am going to try and keep anti fouling paint off of her.