Phil Thomas Stealth Sport 20 FE Build

[1truckerdan]

That looks really sharp.....I wish I had your painting skills
Daniel

[mojoracer]

Time For The Shine!

I wetted down my filthy old garage's floor and got ready to clear the boat. I decided to try a new product on the recomendation of my auto body supply salesman. This is a urathane 2 part paint in a spray can. I was told this stuff is awesome, and it was $30 cheeper than buying a quart of clear and hardener. Spraymax 2K Glamour High Gloss clear coat. The can has a button on the bottom you puncture. You do this when your ready to spray, and it releases the hardener inside the can. You must wear a respirator when using this stuff!


I set up my parts, and hung my hull from a coat hanger rod. I began spraying the clear. This stuff went on like a dream. Very smooth and wet looking. After a 15 minute break, I recoated parts of the hull that looked a little dry. Overall gloss looks awesome. This stuff is supposed to be buffable after 24 hours. I locked up the garage and will let the paint set up until later. The results look really good right now. Hopefully this finish will hold up to taping!

[Shooter]

Nice Job!!

[mojoracer]

Bracket Painting:
I had to modify my rudder bracet. My local hobby shop only had a right side mono (long bracket). I converted it to a left by removing about a 1/2 of length and re drilled the rudder holes. I also had to re-do the curve at the top of the bracket which facilitates the kick-up feature. I also removed some excess material from the skid fin bracket, and smoothed everything out with files and sandpaper. I applied some purple color and cleared it all with the 2K urathane.


In the evening I installed the hardware onto the hull. I put sealer in the transon through bolt holes. The skid fin hardware was installed using blue loctite. The boat is starting to take shape!

[Jedi Master]

Great build and paint work!!!

[longballlumber]

Looks good Bob!

Later,
Mike

[ray schrauwen]

8/24/11

The resin on the hull has many pin holes that need to be filled. Use automotive body supply "Spot Putty". I sanded the hull with 220 grit wet paper so that the putty and primer will stick. I sprayed the boat with a 2 part hardened filler/primer paint in a tan color. The primer will go on thick, and help fill imperfections. I put extra material on the bottom! The bottom between the sponsons was pin hole infested! After the primer dried, I wet sanded everything with 320 paper. This will expose the pin holes and low spots in the surface. A rubber sanding block is a handy tool for this operation. Once sanded, I applied lots of spot putty. Once the putty dries, sand it down and apply more primer.

Did you use an airbrush to prime or rattle can \?

Can I get 2part primer in rattle can?

Nice finished boat! Thanks for the thread.

[mojoracer]

Ray, I used a gravity feed $10 on sale Harbor Freight gun to apply the 2 part primer. For a spray can option Go to spraymax.de They do make the primer in a 2 part rattle can

Did you use an airbrush to prime or rattle can \?

Can I get 2part primer in rattle can?

Nice finished boat! Thanks for the thread.

[ray schrauwen]

Thanks, just founf Rustoleum http://www.rustoleumibg.com/product....&snv=1&pid=281 makes some too,now, where to find it in Canada??

[mojoracer]

8/29/11

Installing The Steering:

I decided to tuck the servo up under the deck. This will give a nice straight shot to the rudder, and keep the servo off of the floor of the boat. I used a 1/8th" plywood plate to mount the servo in. Make it a little bigger than the servo to increase the stiffness of the mount. I cut a square hole in the center of this piece, and provided a noth so the servo wire can pass through. Once the wood piece is done, set it in the hull and transfer the hole to the fiberglass. Cut your hole in the engine well side with a small saw. I used a air powered autobody jig saw. Once your hole is complete, mount the wood plate onto the boat. I used thick CA gle and 4 small screws in the corners. Before I installed the servo, I installed my antenna mount fitting through the deck. This is a good way to do your antenna. No hastle in fishing the wire into your cowling every time you run.


Graphics Time:

I had these graphic made up by Sign-A-Rama nearby me. The color match was not quite right, so I need to call them up and see if they will re-do them. The purple is lighter than the previous jobs they did for me. Vynil graphic are easy to install. I just line them up and tape the cover film down on 1 side. This creates a "hinge". Just fold back the decal on the hinge, and peel the backing off. Press and rub the vynil, and peel off the top film. Easy fun job to do!


Now it is time to complete the steering installation. I routed my antenna wire and installed the receiver next to the servo opening. I used a HiTec HS645MG servo with metal gears. Place the servo in the mount and attach with 4 servo mounting screws that come with the servo. The screws grab into the plywood and hold quite nicely.

[mojoracer]

Finishing Off The Steering

Now that the servo is mounted, I will install the linkage. I am using Dubro linkage products. The servo end is a threaded kwik link in the 2-56 thread size. It snaps over the horn and has a safety locking clip. A very sturdy way to attach your linkage! I also used a HiTec aluminum servo arm instead of the flexy plastic. I passed the 2-56 rod throung the transome in a fitted brass tube. The tube makes a good guide to keep the rod straight. On the rudder attachment, I used a Dubro EZ connector. This part swivels, and provides a nice set screw to lock the rod to the pivot point. I connected my electronics and set my rudder to center and tested the action. Everything works nice, and no play in the linkage.


This evening agenda is to bolt in the motor mount and install the speed control. The speed control's wiring will be shortened a re-soldered to fit this hull. I will also cut and install the Hughey drive shaft.

[ksm2001]

Very nice build and your paint looks awesome looking forward to seeing a video running.

Detox, saw your info on the turn fin, thanks. I may be needing it to fine tune my PT SS45.

Ken

[ray schrauwen]

That is similar the way you moounted your servo compared to mine. I used CF plate behind the fiberglass wall, then drilled & tapped it to mount the servo.

I opted to put the servo much further up in the hull.

Beautiful boat sir, almost too nice to race :)

[marko500]

That is similar the way you moounted your servo compared to mine. I used CF plate behind the fiberglass wall, then drilled & tapped it to mount the servo.

I opted to put the servo much further up in the hull.

Beautiful boat sir, almost too nice to race :)

I mouted mine in the side wall too. Up forward next to the motor.

Mark

[ray schrauwen]

Ray, I used a gravity feed $10 on sale Harbor Freight gun to apply the 2 part primer. For a spray can option Go to spraymax.de They do make the primer in a 2 part rattle can

Thanks man. Just ordered some of that 2 part Epoxy Primer and clearcoat. There is a place in Ohio that ships to Canada, thankfully!!

Now I can paint it up with confidence! Thanks to you and your thread! Shipping is kinda harsh but, it's cheaper than a trip to the city & back in the car.

Nobody sells it up here, not even Rustoleum's version with the button.