Geico & Mystic Epoxy Hatches

[neal58cobra]

No problem!

[tiqueman]

Neal its done. I can ship it tomorrow.

[ecoovert]

Hi there tiqueman. I like what I see. Any chance I cold see one painted?

[tiqueman]

Hey Eco, Ive only done touch up, havent had the need to paint one.

[ecoovert]

Well I guess I could paint it but I would need for someone tell me what kind of paint to use, where I can get it along with the gelcoat. If anyone has a youtube link on painting fiberglass that would be helpful. My understanding is buying these items in small quantities is next to impossible. I just don't know if I can justify buying 2 $40 cans of paint plus gelcoat just to paint one boat hatch. I could be wrong about all that though.

[tiqueman]

Why do you need gelcoat??? And as for painting the hull, its already painted so a light scuffing is all u need before its ready for another color. As for the hatch, its layed up w an epoxy finish instead of gel so its easier to get paint to bond to it. Duplicolr and rustoleum are commonly used inexpensive paints that work well.

[ecoovert]

Hi again tiqueman. So as to the hatch, are you saying I would only have to paint it with Duplicolor or a Rustolium paint? Is one better than the other? Not that it's an issue but would I still have to sand the hatch or is it ruff enough for paint to adhere to it as is? Also with the Duplicolor or Rustolium after a couple coats I wouldn't have to use gel? Do these paints come in a spray or would I have to brush it on? I know I'm full of questions on this but so far all I've painted is walls in the house and rc truck bodies.

[tiqueman]

Youd have to scuff it enought to knock the shine off of it. When its all a flat white color, its ready to be painted. If you see spots that are still kinda shiney, sand it some more. I usually use 400 grit and wet sand it until Ive acheived my goal. Usually takes 4 or 5 times going over. sand it all, wipe it down, let it dry and check it, then repeat until its all flat in color. I use steel wool to get into the tight places and I use it over the detail areas so I dont lose the lines etc in the hatch. I usually spend 30 to 45 minutes prepping a hatch for paint. Bill34207 has had huge success using the Rustoleum enamel. It comes in a spray can, but limited on colors. Ive used duplicolor, which also comes in a spray can, found at any automotive store, including walmart and Kmart. Buttypically I spray using PPG paint which is what you were refering to as its expensive especially for small quantities. I think Bill uses a clear over the enamel, I used clear over Duplicolr but I dont use Duplicolor clear as Im not real happy with it. I use a product called Upol clear. Its comes in a spray can but is about $18.00 a can. the stuff is amazing tho and goes over duplicolor very well.

gelcoat is never needed while painting a boat.

[ecoovert]

Thanks tiqueman. I'll look into the paint and Upol clear but like I said, I won't be able to do anything until well after Christmas. You know how that goes.

[tiqueman]

Yes I do... all too well

[ecoovert]

Say tiqueman. I see you c.f. hulls and I wanted to ask. How much does c.f. affect the 2.4gh. reception? I've heard that can be an issue. I know it was a real issue with the tail booms on helis. For that reason I always stuck with aluminum tail booms. on my heli. Does the same hold true with boat hulls? I know the proximity in relation to the esc... can make a difference. I'm just trying to weigh weather or not I would want to strenghen my hulls with carbon fiber in the future.

[tiqueman]

Ive got CF in all my hulls on the floor and up the sides and have no problems w/ my Futaba 2.4 system. I have heard of complete CF hulls effecting it, however, I also runa full carbon HPR and run my 2.4 antenna internal w/ no issues at all.

[ecoovert]

Thanks tiqueman. How hard is it to CF the bottom of a hull? Is it something better off left to an expert or can someone who hasn't worked with CF or even fiberglass yet? How expensive is it to do or have done? My heli was mostly all CF. I only left the tail boom in aluminum due to hearing of others having issues. Even with a 450 heli you don't want it to get away from you. By the way, I've given up on helis because I'm not a good pilot and didn't have the time for repairs... Only wish I had figured that out before having dumped thousands of dollars into it. The more I think about it the more I like boats.

[tiqueman]

To me its not hard, getting the technique took a few tries. But I worked w/ fiberglass before, so it didnt take long to pick it up. Everyones different. Ive had guys send me boats after they tried it 5 times on other boats and couldnt get it, Ive had guys ask how and did pretty well thier first try. Cats are more difficult and sometimes have to be done in multiple pieces.

[ecoovert]

Thanks once again tiqueman. I think I know what I'll have to do. I have an old Supervee-27 that has had the bulkhead... removed as it was broken. I took another bulk head out of another cracked Supervee hull intending to install it in the good hull with broken bulkhead. Never got around to it as I wasn't confident in my ability to fiberglass the bulkhead in. If I decide to attempt this I guess I'll try on the Supervee hull first. If I blow it I won't feel as bad. If I can manage that I might try it on my MG-29. I do have 2 MG-29 cats but I sure would hate to ruin one. I've had the Supervee sitting around for quite a while so this may just give me a reason to resuscitate it. Though the Supervee hull was fragile it was a fun boat to drive and with the added strength I might just install one of my 4074 motors into it and convert it to 6s. How much would I be looking at to purchace the materials to CF a hull? Fiberglass would be another option so I'll ask the same for that procedure as well.