77 Challenger

« **on:** February 10, 2012, 10:20:16 AM »

Well here's my project thread, gonna be a slow build and keeping it on a budget. Trying to keep it under 1200 not including the cost of interior and so far I think i might make it. I picked up a unknown hull that was fully rigged for next to nothin and stripped it of everything useful. Then i ended up with this challenger hull with jet which is in much better shape in exchange for the jacuzzi jet I had no use for. So i cut up the old trailer because it was rotted to hell and saved one of the axles and tongue because they were still good just in case I wanted to put surge brakes on the next trailer. So I scrapped the old trailer and picked up a tandem trailer this last weekend and the money from the scrap damn near paid for the trailer. So im gonna spend the next 2 weeks cleaning up the new trailer before I bring the hull and parts from my uncles where im storing them. My hoa is kinda picky about boats not to mention cutting one up and putting one together in my drive way.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey

« **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2012, 10:56:38 AM »

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey

« **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2012, 11:20:21 AM »

Im using sanding discs and a 4 1/2 angle grinder and if I see something I don't like, like pitting from old rust, new rust or something else I hit it with the wire wheel. On the inside of the c channel im using a wire wheel that's shaped like a cup. Works perfect. Ill snap some pics when I get home.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey

« **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2012, 06:26:26 PM »

Well got something done between today and yesterday and still not done yet, the weather rolled in and shut me down.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey

« **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2012, 06:53:52 PM »

I sanded most of the trailer with a few 80 grit sanding discs w/ a 4 1/2" angle grinder. I used a cupped wire wheel to get inside the c channel and around the welds. I used rustoleum reformer in a rattle can and then some rustoleum sealer and rust preventer. Still undecided on just spraying the trailer with rustoleum or using the appliance epoxy.

Fat fingered from the phone-Corey

« **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2012, 10:06:45 AM »

I'm picking up a new to me tandem trailer today. It needs to be sanded and cleaned up. What's the best way to hit the rust spots ?

« **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2012, 10:45:02 AM »

The discs or a wire wheel depending on how easy it is to get to. Then Id just spray the hell out of it with the rust reformer.

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« **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2012, 01:39:57 PM »

Ill keep it in mind, in the next month or so I am gonna be soon some glass work and have no idea what the hell im doin.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2012, 08:40:10 AM »

can you get the rust reformer from autozone or pepboys ? should i primer first then paint ?

« **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2012, 09:48:14 AM »

The stuff I got in the picture was from home depot but I think I have gotten stuff from auto zone begot that was a rust reformer primer. And yes you always want to primer metal and fillers (bondo, glass, etc)before paint. That is unless your using paint that can be applied straight to bare metal or your painting over existing paint. In the case of painting over existing paint just sand the paint that's there and spray over it. Not saying that's the right way but I have done it that way and not had bad results. And before you paint its better to wash it down, auto shops use soap and water with some chemical but I usually use a few rags and paint thinner and wipe everything down. That way I can clean everything up and give it a once over begot painting.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2012, 01:20:52 PM »

D@mn seeing all you guys work on your trailers makes me really want to get my sh!t done. Haha.

Sent while on the run, or sitting at work bored

« **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2012, 06:54:14 PM »

Oh okay cool. Thanks for the info. I'm gonna start sanding a little tomorrow and finish it up on Sunday. Just need to decide on a color now. Should I match the truck or boat

« **Reply #12 on:** February 18, 2012, 05:08:09 PM »

Did a little trading today an came home with some stuff.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #13 on:** February 18, 2012, 05:18:41 PM »

I can help you with the glass work it easy

« **Reply #14 on:** February 18, 2012, 09:12:15 PM »

Quote from: filterbiz on February 18, 2012, 05:39:55 PM

Thanks again for the lever bro!

No problem man, hope it works out.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2012, 12:09:32 PM »

Getting rid of the rotted donor hull today. Can you say "open bow"

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:08:07 PM »

So I have reached the first of many what the phuck am I doings. While rolling around under the trailer doing the bunk alignments I keep finding spider cracks and it seems I just keep finding more and more. There's a 3 foot long area on the side of the hull that I just noticed last night that pissed me off to the point I dropped everything and went inside for the night. Ill post pics tonight.

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:45:17 PM »

Well got the hard part done now just gotta move the who outer bunks out then pull the boat off the trailer, weld everything and put the boat back on

« **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:48:03 PM »

And the cracking that set me over the top last night

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2012, 11:29:13 PM »

Nope, it was dropped off and it was free. When I went and looked at it it didn't seem that bad but damn its just getting better. I don't know what im gonna do. I don't know if it can be repaired or if it even needs to be repaired. The entire hull feels pretty solid but the spot is huge.
Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2012, 05:42:26 PM »

Some better pics

Fat fingered from the phone- Corey

« **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2012, 08:26:37 PM »

Gel coat is known to get crazy cracks in it without having effect on the structural fiberglass, isn't it?

Gel coat itself hasn't got a hairlike reinforcement like the layup has..

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« **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2012, 10:16:06 PM »

that dont look good............

« **Reply #23 on:** March 06, 2012, 10:35:15 PM »

That is called impact crazing.

Some big and soft and squishy took it's best shot right in that area.

Really not a big deal, but ugly as hell.

As long as it is really firm when you press on it with a bit of force, it should be structurally sound.

Blacks and greys are the most brittle colors as far as gelcoat goes, so this is pretty common (I think it has to do with how hot it gets when in the sunlight).

Pretty straightforward fix. The entire surface needs to be ground down to good glass (the scary part) and then prepped to block it back straight after layering with new glass...This will be easier if planning on painting the entire boat (eliminates the need to match colors...)

If you just want to use the boat for now, I would recommend getting some polyester resin and some MEK and mix up a small batch and simply brush some thinned resin into the cracked area and sand it smooth. Maybe with some 400 grit and let her buck...

GT

« **Reply #24 on:** April 21, 2012, 04:41:45 PM »

Brought the motor home finally. Like the engine stand?

Fat fingered from the phone - Corey

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