Me Too!

I’ve always had good results with Interlux filler stain, Interlux sealer, and Pettit Captains varnish.

220 was to fine of a sand and it closed the grain so you didn’t get good adhesion with the first coat. I sand bare wood to 80, stain, two coats of sealer, one full coat of varnish, then sand by hand with 120 to smooth being careful not to sand into the stain. After that you can use 220 and go finer ...

Hmmmmmm, big project.

5200 is a super powerful adhesive and an excellent marine sealer. My only gripe with it is, in the classic wooden boat restoration world, whatever you put together with it will never come apart again without using destructive force. In other words, wooden boats assembled with 5200 are no longer rest...

Paint and varnish sag is caused by too thick and heavy applications. Make sure your varnish is warm, dip your brush tip 1/4 inch only.

Gotta love the way that old growth mahogany comes back to life out of the plane. That’s good wood!

Thanks Guys! I’m always amazed and humbled by the CC info and advice here on The Buzz. Great Stuff!

Wow! The orange looks really great. I don’t want to split hairs guys, but do you suppose the orange look is something that happen later during early first restorations of these old boats. Maybe just a really cool look that caught on? Is the orange mentioned in any of the advertisements or on the hul...

Still curious about the orange seams. How did CC make the compound orange and how would that be done on a restoration? Any photos or old advertising shots? I would imagine it looks pretty cool. I’ve never ever seen it before.

I replaced the bottom third of my transom. The top section was repaired prior to my ownership. What they did was cut back the plank ends to the first frame, repaired the corner frames, and fitted vertical mahogany dutchmen the same length and width on both sides. Sanded in, stained and varnished, it...

Interesting, but you’d have to wonder if the orange on a small number of boats was intentional, or just a lucky varnish mistake. A lot of the old amber varnishes have a pretty orange tone and could have turned the white seam compound orange. I’d check the hull card records at the Mariners Museum to ...

I’m curious about Orange Seams. Did CC actually color the seams orange, or did the seams just turn orange over time. Old varnish over old seam compound naturally turns orangish.

Remove the trim so you can see how the panels are fastened. Matte finish is the standard on cruiser interiors, but if you like gloss that’s fine too. Good Luck!

Neil, sounds like a nice project and great to have that family history with your Connie. Probably the best way to get comments and help is to take the problems one at a time and post pictures along with your questions. My cruiser is a 1948 36 foot double stateroom so I’m not that familiar with you b...

Wow, that is a rather unbelievable coincidence. I guess by some devine CC intervention, you were meant to move into that spot. Should make messin around with the transom planks a little easier.

Did the bottom third on the Joan Roy to just a plank above the exhaust ports. Had the whole cockpit gutted at the time for new fuel tanks, exhaust, wireing, deck, covering boards etc. We were able to access the framing from the inside. Because we left the top planks on, we cut and scarfed and sister...

My keel has always had a slight bit of a list as well. Its solid and well bolted and hasn’t changed in 11 years so I don’t mess with it. Could have come off the assembly line like that. The transom planks are a tough bend. It’s more of a curve than it looks. When we did mine we left the ends long so...

It used to be simple. Unfortunately the quantity of information has swallowed up the quality. I really enjoyed the old format of The Buzz and always checked Trading Dock. Regardless of where it all goes, I’m still the same old guy working on and appreciating my old Chris Craft. That won’t change.

I use Captains. Nice amber tone, good flow, sands nice, probably closest to what CC used originally. If I’m down to bare wood I stain with Interlux filler stain, seal with Interlux sealer, finish with Pettit Captains. Happy Varnishing!

Kirby Paints also sells red lead. It’s good stuff, but pretty pricey. Over a hundred a quart. I’m sure the DAP product is fine as a sealant and adhesive along with the thousands of screws holding it together. Kind of a version of a very big 5200 bottom your doing. Never done one myself, but I’m pret...

Nice fit on the bottom. Just out of curiosity, what are you using for goop/caulking and will you apply a barrier coat before you bottom paint! Your new neighbors boat looks pretty darn spiff!

Or you could buy Chris Craft to go with your Crestliner. Nice Boat!

I agree. Wood absolutely has to move and will alway expand and contract no matter what. An epoxy joint is actually stronger than the wood itself so when it shrinks or swells it’ll find the weak spot in the grain and split or bow out in the center of the plank. Chris Craft did not glue edges together...

I agree. Redrilling is your best bet. Pull the lags, get it spot on, trace the mounts, move it over, plug the holes, drill fresh holes, bolt it up. Perfect! Challenging, but fun little project. Let us know how you make out.

Stay with the traditional oil based boat products. Water based paints and varnishes are not breathable, trap moisture, don’t sand well, and generally look like a plastic finish. Important to use the Interlux filler stain to fill the 80 grit sanded wood. Always apply two coats of sealer over the full...

Orange peel is usually caused by applying the paint too thick. The only way to get rid of it is to sand it smooth and reapply thinner coats sanding fine between coats. Too much paint is sometimes worse than not enough. Happy Painting!

Really nice old cruiser! That’s great your willing to put in the effort and resources to bring her back. Happy Cruising!

My boat was built in 1947 for the 1948 model year. Just like production cars, boats for a model year go into production the year before.

Ahhhh Yes! The Barn Find. You know your old when the next barn find happens in your own barn.