Well what a disaster Saturday was, rain rain & more rain . Still it gave me the opportunity to strip the main windows down to their base components. All the rubbers are shot, see the pics below (yes I got some batteries). It went quite well but as one would expect 'sods law' crept in and left me with one sheared screw & 3 that would not budge - They are only 1/8" in diameter and chromed brass so it does not take much to chew up the screw slot.
The last offending screws I tackle with a drill, drilling through from behind with a 2mm drill bit. If you are very lucky the screws will undo themselves as you drill (hence drilling from behind). As it happened 2 of the 4 did unscrew, the 3rd was re drilled with a 2.5mm drill bit & that unscrewed its self too, that left No4 - Sods law again, my only 2mm drill bit snapped half way through . Fortunately I was able to get it out, I then went through with the 2.5mm drill bit, still it did not budge. I then set about using a tap (No not the water kind) to attempt to cut a new thread. Yet again Sods law raised its ugly head and the tap snapped . Luckily it had not gone it too deep so it came out with a fine punch & a hefty welt with a hammer. I was then a case of gently working at the hole with the 2.5mm drill bit CAREFULLY wobbling the hand drill to enlarge the hole and an attempt with the right size tap to clear the thread, it worked but took just over 1 hour to do the one screw!
With that job done it will be a case of cleaning the alloy & getting the rubbers from Sheridan Marine, which I'll pick up when I get the re-chromed bits.
Sunday (today) with the improved weather I thought I would risk the first coat of primer . I started at 8.00am, finished masking up by about 10.30, finished the first coat of undercoat by 12.00 noon. Job done!. I just have to leave it to key in for 2 weeks as recommended by International paint spec. It will then be sanded with a 360 (or there abouts) grit wet'n'dry and the few imperfections I found as spraying, made good, followed by the next coat of undercoat, another sanding with 600, then a 50/50 mix of topcoat/undercoat, yet another sanding with 1000/1200 prior to a couple of top coats. I think I might go for cream as this was the original gel colour.
For those of you wondering how I was able to paint the top so quickly, I sprayed it! I purchased an SIP Airmate from World of Power for just over £100, it came with a spray gun, tyre pressure thing, a blower gun and a vacuum thing (?) - A bargain RRP £235 !! Find them at www.worldofpower.co.uk
Well that is it for now, I'm gonna put my feet up with some falling over fluid and admire my work.

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Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
www.keepingafloat.co.uk

c,mon gerbil, where,s the pics now that you have the batteries

you certainly appear to be a dab hand at d.i.y boating jobs. at least i will know where to come

when i need advice or help. good luck with your project

alan

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tell me where i am pilot, not where i should be

Whoops - silly me, must be the water on the brain and rampant old age - I will try again with the pics, or you could take a peek at my blog page, follow the link in my signature

_________________
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
www.keepingafloat.co.uk

well it certainly is looking good, well done.

those wheelie bins come in for allsorts

alan

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tell me where i am pilot, not where i should be

I like to think it is 'getting there' , although I will not be happy until the topsides are done with the new chrome and conopy (that should be a challange )fitted so I can get rid of the 'orrid tarp; and if I can be of service sir (does a most 'umble bow)

_________________
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic.
www.keepingafloat.co.uk