Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

[frecklesthecockerspaniel]

I am in the process of restoring an aluminum semi v hull and have a couple of questions I would like help on.

The first qustion has to do with the aluminum itself. I had the boat soda blasted and then started sanding with a DA using 400 grit, then 800 grit, then 1200 grit and finally with 2000 grit. The finish is nearly mirror like but what should I use to protect the finished product?

The second question has to do with the rail, seats and transom. When i bought the boat someone had used pressure treated on all of the above mentioned. I replaced them all with Mahogany but would like some advise on what to finish them with. I have used varnish in the past but would like to use something simpler. I thought about teak oil or boiled linseed oil. Has anyone had experience with either of the two. I had contemplated trying the boiled linseed oil and using Johnson paste wax on top of it but was wondering how this would perform. Any ideas??

 

[KellyC]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

I am in the process of restoring an aluminum semi v hull and have a couple of questions I would like help on.

The first qustion has to do with the aluminum itself. I had the boat soda blasted and then started sanding with a DA using 400 grit, then 800 grit, then 1200 grit and finally with 2000 grit. The finish is nearly mirror like but what should I use to protect the finished product?

Hello there Freckes and welcome to the forum. The only thing that I know of for protecting the hull is a product called Shark Hide, I see adds for it all the time in CL. Do not have any experience with it my self though. Good luck, love the looks of a nice shinny boat like that. As for your second question, I am sorry I have no idea on what to use on the wood.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

The Resto Forum would probably provide you the best info.
Those guys are magicians.

And...that has to be the longest user name I've seen on any board. LOL
Welcome Freckles the Cocker Spaniel!!

 

[QC]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Welcome aboard freckles!! I'm going to move this over to the Restoration section. You'll get a more focused response there, which has nothing to do with the quality of Kelly's post, it's just where it belongs. Good luck!!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Welcome to iboats.

Not to pee on your party but I really hope you didn't ruin your boat making it shiney, soda blasting removes metal then you used 3 kinds of sand paper on it which removes massive amounts of metal so your hull is probably 1/2 its original thickness in spots.

Just be carefull your first couple times out and inspect the hull well after running it for any signs of buckling especially the transom.

Now that it is done Shark Hyde is what you want to use on it to keep it looking like it does, it is a really good product made specifically for aluminum.

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

I have used sikkens cetol many times with excellent results. Goes on easier than varnish, and doesn't require the constant upkeep of oils or varnish. I keep my boat inside, so after 5 years, the finish looks like brand new, but those who keep their boats outside only have to put on a refresher coat ever year or so- no sanding required.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Aluminum is a used in marine environments because of it's natural ability form a highly protective layer of oxidation. This begins to happen about 10 minutes after the original oxidation is removed. Shark Skin is a good product for slowing the oxidation process on mirror polished aluminum. The problem is that a trailered boat will rub the Shark Skin off and expose the unoxidized aluminum directly to moisture either directly from the body of water or from the wet trailer bunks.

On custom built Aluminum fishing boats, we polish the hulls once a year at the end of the season and they pretty much stay nice until the end of the next season. The oxidation layer that forms on a highly polished hull is translucent and retains an excellent shine with great natural protection. That would be my recommendation.


Teak or Mahogany require a significant amount of upkeep when installed on a boat that is used a lot. UV protection is the quality that is most important. A High Quality Marine Spar coating is the best long term solution. Depending upon the environment (salt or fresh) it will out last anything else on the market.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

I have used sikkens cetol many times with excellent results. Goes on easier than varnish, and doesn't require the constant upkeep of oils or varnish. I keep my boat inside, so after 5 years, the finish looks like brand new, but those who keep their boats outside only have to put on a refresher coat ever year or so- no sanding required.

Aye..sikkens cetol will require less prep for overcoatings..no prep to apply..but wouldnt you Agree Silver Heels that you put this stuff on Nice Teak or Mohog its going to look like a Barn Door .. ? .. Screw up your exotic wood with this stuff if you like..

Minwax Helmsmans spar thane is the way to go..

http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/exterior-clear-protective-finishes/helmsman-spar-urethane.html

Sikkens .... ??? my jury is still out on this stuff ..

YD.

 

[frecklesthecockerspaniel]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Thanks everyone for all the responces.

I have decided for now to try to wax the hull with a good wax.

I have also decided to just go ahead and varnish the wood. I am going to keep it under a cover and also store it inside when not using it.

I also want to comment to the responce posted in reference to sanding the hull. I do agree that sanding was propbably the most harsh method of acheiving the results I wanted but I really think the statement that I "lost 1/2 the thickness" is severely overstated. I feel like a 1% - 2% loss would be more accurate. A light hand on the sander with 600 - 2000 and higher grit would take a lifetime of work to dissolve 1/2 the metal. I think I have 31 hours thus far in removing what little I have seen as residue in the floor. However I can relate to your concerns as they were mine also in the beginning.

I do have a new question that someone might hold the answer to. I am wondering if there is a manufacture or supplier of any type vintage trailer tires. I received confirmation yesterday that the trailer that come with the boat is a 1959 model. It was manufactured by Dutton - Lainson in Hastings, Nebraska for the Gamble Skogmo Company which sold the trailers. I would like to find some type of vintage era type tire if possible, perhaps a little white wall tire if there is such a thing out there. Any ideas?

Again, thanks for all the help. I hope to have so before and after pictures posted before long.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Welcome to iboats.

I would also suggest that you google airstream trailers and look up polishing on the forum there.

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Hey Freckles,

When you mentioned a 1959 trailer it triggered a desire to see pics of the boat and whole rig. Any chance of that?

 

[frecklesthecockerspaniel]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

Yes, I hope to get some before and after photos up before long.

 

[frecklesthecockerspaniel]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

I watched the airsteam video yesterday and was amazed.

 

[LonLB]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

If any one has tires you are looking for it will be Coker tire.

I don't have a link saved but it won't be hard to find. They cater to the classic car guys but may have something you could use.


They carry wide whitewalls, thin red stripes, big O tires, vintage military tires, you name it. They have it.

 

[frecklesthecockerspaniel]

Re: Restoring an aluminum semi v hull and need help

I called Coker but they did not have anything that small. Thanks for the suggestion though.

If any one has tires you are looking for it will be Coker tire.

I don't have a link saved but it won't be hard to find. They cater to the classic car guys but may have something you could use.


They carry wide whitewalls, thin red stripes, big O tires, vintage military tires, you name it. They have it.