Great pic.
And I agree, give your nice blue hull and deck a good soapy wash, then fine wet sand with clean soapy warm water, rinsing as you go, and finally you could use rubbing compound (maybe overkill after wet sanding), then 3M fiberglass restorer and wax. You’ll be amazed by the difference. It is a rare color and a good looking boat, I wouldn’t paint it. I’d put a little thickened epoxy in any visible chips or voids in the mast step. I like West System Six10 (comparable with Thixo) because it’s easy, premeasured and dispensed with a caulk gun. Tape off the area, mix the two parts. I use a gloved finger to line the mast step and fill any voids. Tape a chip brush to a paint stick for reaching deeper into mast step if you need to.
I’d start with 2000 or 1500. Start fine and increase grit, careful not to leave swirl.Thanks. What grit sandpaper?
A neighbor has an Aeronca on floats.The other plane is an Extra 300S and the green tail is a 1941 Aeronca L-3, disassembled. I have an airplane problem. The Sunfish is therapy for the airplane problem....
I just bought Maguires Marine restorer kit with their own de-oxidizer. A lot of the 3M reviews refered to Maguire's so I gambled with them. Odd that the coaming isn't faded at all. Should I just de-oxidize and polish the top deck? No wax? There are cracks in the gel coat on the top deck.
I replaced all the wiring and lights, and cleaned out the mouse nests in the trailer.
Attached is the Aeronca during happier times.
All you guys sure know how to spin an intriguing sailboat post! Is everyone a pilot around here? Beldar? My wife says I should have been a pilot. I missed my chance serving my country in the Air Force. I wimped out. Now I'm not sure I could stomach my boys serving our Commanders in Chief. (Tangent!!)Delta takes care of my airplane problem...fun times in Chicago O'Hare a few days back.
looks like typical gelcoat cracking due to age and lack of maintenance.
Looks great; stop waxing and start sailing
And, NO, do not wax the deck; as you surmised, it will make it too slippery.
I was able to get rid of the oxidation, but wasn't able to get rid of the scratches
Breeze, would fiberglass resin work in the mast step? Light coat as a prophylactic sort of this? I know nothing about this. I'm just trying to gain knowledge about different products and their best uses. I know less about Thixo and west 10 than anything.Great pic.
And I agree, give your nice blue hull and deck a good soapy wash, then fine wet sand with clean soapy warm water, rinsing as you go, and finally you could use rubbing compound (maybe overkill after wet sanding), then 3M fiberglass restorer and wax. You’ll be amazed by the difference. It is a rare color and a good looking boat, I wouldn’t paint it. I’d put a little thickened epoxy in any visible chips or voids in the mast step. I like West System Six10 (comparable with Thixo) because it’s easy, premeasured and dispensed with a caulk gun. Tape off the area, mix the two parts. I use a gloved finger to line the mast step and fill any voids. Tape a chip brush to a paint stick for reaching deeper into mast step if you need to.