dadkins

I am getting close to ready to seal this thing - I dont want to glass it as it weighs enough already and does not need the durability being 3/16" thick cedar. SOOO My question to you all: what finish do you recomend? I have have pretty good luck with minwax urethane, fair results with a couple different spar varnishes and I also have another varnish we used on our kitchen cabinets that worked out excelent - very matte finish. I have also considered epoxy / warmed / thinned / painted on.
Let me know what works best for all of you, My criteria- A. must be nitro fuel proof. B. waterproof( given) C. somewhat durable / repairable. D. easy to apply.
Thanks in advance !
Dave
ps attached are more pics taken in the late afternoon sun - showing every flaw.

scott17

I use Klass Kote clear.

Kimbergirl

How about just clear lacquer. Three to five coat, sand, three to five coats, sand, repeat as needed.
About eight times?

Fuel proof, repairable, beautiful!

dadkins

eWW That is pretty. but... I have found a deglossed surface goes a little faster - something with just a little texture i will usually take a green scotchbrite pad to the bottom and make front to back passed. (learned this from tuning skis) gloss surface causes some stiction or surface tension.
The top on the other hand might get the high gloss shiny treatment, and I do have a woodworker friend with a spray booth that can spray laquer.

joseywales

If your using nitro or gas fuels,I would'nt advise it. Those fuel will eat it up. I use automotive urethanes like Dupont NASON or NAPA CROSSFIRE and PPG OMINI and SHOPLINE. All are great paints and clears to use without killing you in your pocketbook.

hugho

I've used Rustoleum Ultra Cover Gloss Clear (comes in a rattle can), on several of my boats including the Dumas Barrel back Chris Craft. It was over the mahogany planking with no filler. Probably about 10 coats with wet sanding between each third coat. After many sailings it has been very satisfactory. Good luck.

1QwkSport2.5r

I've used just epoxy finishing resin on one boat with good results. It will crack and spiderweb if it strikes anything hard, though. The current boat I'm building I'm using 8-10 coats of waterborne polyurethane wood floor finish. The last 4 coats will be a 2-component catalyzed waterborne polyurethane which is a good bit harder than most oil-based polyurethanes and varnishes.

I know Spar varnish (oil based) holds up to nitro fine.

dadkins

Here is a couple coats of sealer and 1 coat of varnish. Anyone know how varnish stands up to nitro?

dadkins

Help... I went for the maiden voyage this weekend and DID NOT have good results. Most of my problem is it is hooking on the turns and then spins out - Straight line performance not bad - maybe 20 mph with a little pourposing then you go to turn not much rudder response and then -spin - I slowed my throw and was able to do a few gentler turns / power slides . I should point out - moved the engine back then forward without much help. maybe I shouldn't have strayed from the ol flatbottom.
SOOOOOooooooo Disapointed - such a pretty boat and it runs so ho hum. At least its stable - not even close to flipping.
Any advice would be helpfull. Thanks

asmithnc

I'd go with a water rudder. It has solved all the foul handeling issues I've had on the past. Easy fix for a beautiful boat.

dadkins

Ok - here is another bit of good news -Varnish seems to hold up well to nitro.

dadkins

Asmithnc The water rudder is not going to work for me - to much of a land lubber - as in ... I like to run snow, grass, and weedy ponds, and although I think it would help a lot - i'm not sure it would stop the hooking.

dadkins

OK heare are a couple pics of the finished boat - the RECYLCLONE...OK I may be looking for some name help, something that has to do with recycling and... wind, Nitro, ??? Lil Help please...
I made some adjustments and ran it agin last night - a little better... not great tho