Finishing a glass hull

[T Nissen]

Didn't find anything on my initial search on this. Is there an article, thread or link discussing the process for finishing and sanding a glass hull? Although labor intensive I'm sure it's not rocket science I've just never done it before. Interested in specific products and techniques.

Thanks!

[Flying Scotsman]

Didn't find anything on my initial search on this. Is there an article, thread or link discussing the process for finishing and sanding a glass hull? Although labor intensive I'm sure it's not rocket science I've just never done it before. Interested in specific products and techniques.

Thanks!

What hull and stated finish, as that has a huge impact on the method.

Douggie

[T Nissen]

One of the hulls I was looking at was the Phil Thomas Stealth Sport Hydro. Final finish would be a simple prime and spray from a can.

[LuckyDuc]

Hey Terrance,

Phil's hulls come with instructions on finishing them. The directions that came with my Sport 40 say to use a green scuff pad (Scotch Brite/3m) to roughen up the surface for primer. You don't want to sand too hard as it might open up pin holes.

If you find an air pocket, open it up with a Xacto knife and fill it with epoxy/bondo/spackle etc. For really small pin holes I use BVM pin hole filler. You just wipe it on, let it sit for 10 minutes and wipe it back off. Shoot some more primer and repeat if necessary. LINK

His new hulls don't have many pin holes to worry about though.

[T Nissen]

Thanks Sean!

Been thinking more about getting a hull set up for this summer and it looked like a good option. Hopefully I can make something happen

[LuckyDuc]

No sweat.

Dan Proulx from MN runs the new Phil Thomas hull and beat my Whiplash with it during one of the heats at the MN race.

That's a good running hull.

[marko500]

When I bought my Phil Thomas Stealth hull everyone had me worried about the pin holes. But they were not bad at all, only a couple on the hull and a few on the cowl. I used a spot putty and wet sanded but be careful sanding. Used primer to find and fill any that remained. My brother-in-law painted mine with a paint gun using automotive base coat/clear coat. Came out great, but I've seen spray cans jobs that have come out really nice as well. That's probably what I would have done if he didn't paint it for me.
By the way my Stealth runs and handles great. I could not be happier with my decision.

Mark

[Flying Scotsman]

I might also add, wipe the hull down with isopropanol alcohol prior to sanding to remove any mold release residue.

Douggie

[T Nissen]

Thanks for the tips guys. Sounds like a pretty straight forward procedure.