CLC Northeast Dory build (Finishing)

Yesterday was a mile marker, I decided that I could fuss with the sanding until the cows came home or I burned through all the epoxy or accept I'll put the varnish on and begin enjoying some rowing. The latter was my decision. I have got to say I am pleased with the results. I will go back in my own garage and fix a few areas but that is months away. (Getting my own garage)
I will continue putting varnish on 5 total is the goal then flip and begin painting. I am hoping to have completed and ready for water at the end of the weekend. Or at least put tools down and begin enjoying some celebrations! :thup :cocktail :smileo :thup
 
Remember to make your garage (and door) tall enough for the tallest boat you ever plan to build! I did read that right, you're "getting" a garage?
 
So noted. We're buying a pre-existing home so what it has is what I'll get. Either that or After the hull is built I'll move it to the outside to finish. In the event that it is bigger than my garage door.
 
All things are a learning curve. Such as primer. I ran short the other night of disposable paint trays so I thought - it's just primer and I should be able to pour it on use the roller and tip off on an as needed basis. Well, I discovered if you put it on too thick it takes several days to dry. :cry
So no paint today. Tomorrow I'll start sanding again - it was almost there today but was gooping up the sanding discs. No use rushing this part. The varnish turned out looking really nice. I've used two quarts finishing the inside and seats. However I am going to have to purchase another to finish the rail and underside of the seats.
Should have the boat finished by weeks end provided everything drys accordinly.
 
I could easily build this same boat in half the time it's taken and do a better job. I am looking forward to setting up my shop and selecting a new adventure.
 
Back to the Dory last night. Well, a few days of dry time and quite a few sanding discs later I have a faired hull. I am going back today to completely sand to 220 then round out at 320. 320 Is a bit higher than suggested but it will give a slightly better finish. Not a big deal as I am going to have the sanders out anyways. I learned with primer it's all about laying it down thin. Next boat - I'll remember!
There are a few spots that may require fairing when I lay down a "re-fresher" coat in a couple years. I am going to lay down the paint and see what it looks like after cure. It's possible I am looking for a perfect surface and this is a hand made wood surface. The good thing, I am building this to be used, not stored as a museum piece. As soon as someone steps on the seat with sandy feet there will be scratches in the varnish. That's ok, use it, enjoy it! Hopefully tonight, first coat of paint. :thup :thup
 
Yesterday was a big day on the Dory build. I finally decided I could keep messing with the hull, sanding filling and what not or could move to the next step. Being it is in my neighbors garage I chose the latter. I did of course sand some more, but then moved to the first of three (or more) layers of paint.
I came back today realized I needed more light as I am doing the work after the wife comes home and can watch our son. This led to some dry patches. I borrowed another neighbors 1000 watt work lamp and completed a second coat after wet sanding the hull. While applying the second coat today I noticed I will probably need to spend sometime tomorrow wet sanding some more to smooth the finish. A few sags and orange peel, nothing 1000 won't resolve....I was thinking of letting the paint fully cure and polishing it, however knowing I am going to be beaching this one I'll probably pass on that and enjoy after wet sanding. I am not sure if I'll have to go further than three coats, the primer got thin and sanded through in various spots. Just have to see after the third coat.
 
So this morning I headed back to the garage to complete some touch up, add some more paint in a few areas. This wrapped up a third coat. I am thinking it's going to need at least one more but I am going to wait for my own garage to complete that. So I'll fuss with the rail next weekend after Sandy comes through, add a layer of epoxy or two and finish off with four to five coats of varnish on the rail. Then it will be into the wet with her. I'm thinking about two weeks to harden paint so baring no major set backs she should be ready for rowing mid November! I'll take more pictures in the next few days, Hatteras White and varnished interior really looks sharp. I am already looking for word to my next creation. :smilep
 
So after Sandy blew through I decided it was time for the Dory to get out of my neighbors garage. We moved it out Saturday put it under a car port to finish up the loose ends. I purchased fast set hardener knowing I would be working with some finishing epoxy in the cold. Just the rails, underside, and a few holes ending to be sealed. So Saturday I completed the sanding of the rails, which I should have done prior to painting but didn't and ended up scratching the paint in a few places. Nothing that a "refresher" coat won't take are of. And no one but me is going to notice anyway. I applied a thin coat of epoxy last night and tonight. Just a few bugs and leaves made their way to the epoxy.... :teeth At least it wasn't a field mouse....I'll wait for it to cure and then apply five coats of varnish, install the seats and enjoy cruising Thanksgiving weekend! :smileo [/b]
 
I thought I saw your C Dory this morning. I was on Ft. Smallwood Rd at the Stoney Creek bridge and saw a C Dory on their storage lot sitting on a trailer. Went back but it was a 25'. Hapy Thanksgiving
 
I purchased some fast set hardner and applied four days ago - though it's a bit tacky. I guess those near freezing temps at night haven't helped. :sad I am hopeful today with sun and warmer temps I might be able to sand late this afternoon then start varnishing the rail bottom and seats. Knowing all the processes and steps has given me such great confidence. If needed I can bring it back indoors next year and do some fine tuning. :teeth :wink
 
Well, this weekend was not without some kinks but five layers complete on the rail and seats!!! :thup :smileo
I could rush things and install the seats tonight but the varnish is still a bit soft so I am going to wait until next weekend to install the hardware and seats. Everything should be cured up/hard end by then. I am going to teach myself how to polish varnish using 800, 1200, polish, finess and whatnot. No matter how careful I was small dust particals made there way into the finish. Knowing I was going to do this after full cure I put a bit extra on seats and transm. The rest or the hull isn't going to get quite the attention, reason, the interior is going to get a fair amount of use, between, sand, shoe soles, sun, salt, etc I don't think making a showroom shine is important. I'll probably give the hull some minor attention but not the full treatment. Anyhow time will tell.
In the meantime, I am looking forword to using it. I'll take and post some new pics soon.
 
Bill-

Sounds like you need to plan out and build a boat building shop with a spray (finishing) booth, complete with the appropriate heating and ventilation.

A good, high quality dedicated facility will increase your efficiency and overall productivity greatly, as I am sure you are aware, and while it will represent a considerable investment, it may be a determining factor in whether your project/hobby/avocation plans are workable in the long run.

Good Luck, and thanks for posting your endeavors!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
You drive a good point, I have actually been thinking about that for sometime. Part of my varnishing/painting was done in a garage and part outside. I can honestly say, regardless the finish came out about the same. I prepared the surface to 220, wiped down with mineral, made sure what I was wiping down with was a non-shedding cloth and still ended up with dust particulates. Any idea what a small booth would run? I am thinking I am going to have some space concerns. More curious than anything else. I was hoping to set up shop and see what I could do controlling with wet floor and filtered air.
Keep the ideas coming! I'll take pictures of the maiden row.
 
Bill-

I don't know anything about cost, but I've had access to and used a fist class high school wood shop by myself with it's spray booth, and know it's a different world than working in a typical home garage facility. I'm sure a small dedicated shop with a spray booth would immensely increase your efficiency, productivity, and enjoyment. Just don't invest so much $$$ that you'll never make it back, show a profit, etc.!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Not exactly sure of all of your technique, but we had large boats with a lot of varnish, and fully varnished classic boats--and never used spray booths. For inside we made sure that garages were sealed from the outside and were dust free. If necessary we set up plastic around the area, under the boards and above the area. We would vacuum up any dust after sanding--not use mineral spirits, but use a tac cloth for wiping down the area before varnish.

Outside, we picked days without wind and areas without particulate matter.
The quality of brush and the specific varnish make a difference. We used only high quality brushes, and cleaned them well, using a brush spinner.

Epoxy which does not set up overnight, may present a problem. Putting varnish over improperly cured epoxy can be a problem down the line. We have no experience with french polish type of varnish--but I would not think it is best for a boat which is being used regularly.

The other issue, is this a boat you are going to be using? Cushions may protect seats. There will be some dings, and how will you repair those. This is why many go to the finish like Cetol (which we don't like, but many use) For skiffs and dinghies we often used the heavy woven cloth, with foam inside gunnel guards. We have a friend who has a 26 foot classic Streblow mahogany runabout which is fully varnished (Flawless 22 coats applied by hand in the owners boat house)
 
Class started on September 24th. I had no preconceived notions as to what lay ahead of me. Only knowing that I would be finishing this boat and seeing the water with something I built. My goal was to finish prior to my mother in law leaving to head back to Oregon. She was staying with our family giving me a much needed break and this allowed me a chance to pursue my interest in boat building. As some of you know, it's not easy, specially when you want it to turn out with bright on one side and topside on the other.
Tonight I finished wrapping the second set of oars with leathers and will be celebrating tomorrow with a little water under her bottom side. I will be enjoying a lazy cruise around our creek. Special thanks goes out to my mother in law for watching my son not only the week I was in class but also days after that which gave me a leg up to finish prior to any snow hitting our neck of the woods. Otherwise I'd still be weeks away yet. I also want to take just a quick minute to thank my wife for supporting and continuing to support my new interest in building. :smileo
I'll be taking pictures and will post them hopefully tomorrow.
 
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