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Deck Striping

One part science, five parts experimentation. Every wood boat veteran has their secret recipe for a showy finish. Share your trials and triumphs.

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tkhersom
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Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:03 pm

I am getting ready to paint the deck stripes.
I have watched video's, borrowed a striping tool, practiced and feel good about the process.
It seems to me that most of the videos indicate that this should be the last step, however speaking to some knowlegable friends today it was suggested to me to do a coat or two of varnish over the stripes. :?

Any suggestions?
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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JohnKadimik
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by JohnKadimik » Sun Jun 02, 2013 7:19 pm

Striping is the last step. If you varnish over them they will turn yellow.

boat_art
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by boat_art » Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:15 pm

I have done it both ways. Some customers like the sharp crisp white stripes and some prefer the amber hue that comes from varnish over the paint. Personally, I like the varnish over for a more traditional look, but its a matter of taste.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:02 pm

Thanks Guys!

Since the King Plank is gloss yacht white and I will be using the same paint I am going to do it as the final step so the stripes stay the same without yellowing.
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Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by boat_art » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:09 pm

I thought you were talking about a varnished mahogany deck. Never mind.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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Brian Robinson
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by Brian Robinson » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:13 pm

Prewar Chris' had a coat of varnish over the white compound when new. One coat sealer, two coats varnish, seams filled, then last coat of varnish.

One coat of varnish over white is virtually unnoticeable out in the sun.

Postwar (at least on the more expensive runabouts and Sportsman's), they were varnished over the compound, then striped with white paint after the final.
-Brian
1923 Hackercraft 23' Dolphin #03
1938 Gar Wood 22' Streamliner #6256 Empress
1952 Chris~Craft 19' Racing Runabout #363 Thunderstruck
Robinson Restoration, LLC (760) 468-1009

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Sun Jun 02, 2013 9:24 pm

boat_art wrote:I thought you were talking about a varnished mahogany deck. Never mind.
It is a varnished mahogany deck. '57 CC Continental.
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532135_4739454720410_1287850587_n.jpg
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:41 am

Brian Robinson wrote:Prewar Chris' had a coat of varnish over the white compound when new. One coat sealer, two coats varnish, seams filled, then last coat of varnish.

One coat of varnish over white is virtually unnoticeable out in the sun.

Postwar (at least on the more expensive runabouts and Sportsman's), they were varnished over the compound, then striped with white paint after the final.
This is GREAT information to have!

I have saved it in a file, now I just have to remember to back it up so I don't lose it.

Thanks :lol:
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

boat_art
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by boat_art » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:47 am

Sorry, my bad, I just saw something about fiberglass and didnt read further.
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

iamallthumbs
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by iamallthumbs » Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:09 am

This is my first full year with my CC so I am still learning. I spent this spring trying to restore the varnish and found it is a steep learning curve including a change in varnish manufacturer. Unfortunately, the weather has not made the process any easier with cold and rain, including this week. Anyway, I have a 5' finish on the deck (i.e. looks good from 5') but I was looking for a 1' finish. Here it is June 3 and I have other work to do before I can float the boat. Needless to say I will not get it restriped.

My question is, will I hear snickers from other Woody Boaters if the finish is not up to snuff or can I get a pass this year? Do I delay taking her to shows for a year hoping I can get it right next year? Advice will be appreciated.http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/p ... f=7&t=8264#
Mike D.

1947 CC Deluxe Runabout R-17-413 BOOMER (user boat)
1947 CC Deluxe Runabout R-17-872 ZOOM-ZOOM (project boat)
1965 25' Folkboat SALTY DOG (lapstrake sailboat)
Barn with room for more boats!

boat_art
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by boat_art » Mon Jun 03, 2013 3:38 pm

By all means take her to shows! Shows are for owners and any other boat lovers. I have brought show winners to shows and I have also brought absolute wrecks to shows! That's the fun of it! Anyone that snickers at a boat show is a pompous twit!
http://www.boatartgallery.com
1956 CC Connie 47'
1959 Caulkins bartender
1965 Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer
1953 Chris Craft Holiday
1941 Chris Craft Deluxe
Plus 8-12 customer boats at any time
God don't count the days spent messing around in wood boats.

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:17 pm

boat_art wrote:Sorry, my bad, I just saw something about fiberglass and didnt read further.
Thanks! That seemed like a very "out of character" response from you.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:26 pm

iamallthumbs wrote:This is my first full year with my CC so I am still learning. I spent this spring trying to restore the varnish and found it is a steep learning curve including a change in varnish manufacturer. Unfortunately, the weather has not made the process any easier with cold and rain, including this week. Anyway, I have a 5' finish on the deck (i.e. looks good from 5') but I was looking for a 1' finish. Here it is June 3 and I have other work to do before I can float the boat. Needless to say I will not get it restriped.

My question is, will I hear snickers from other Woody Boaters if the finish is not up to snuff or can I get a pass this year? Do I delay taking her to shows for a year hoping I can get it right next year? Advice will be appreciated.http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/p ... f=7&t=8264#
If shows are your goal and desire, start now. Most people will love to watch the progress from year to year.

Personally I have not been involved in shows. I like the idea, but life seems too busy right now. I especially like the idea of the shows that include some sort of cruise or trip. Really want to try the St. Johns River Cruise at Dora.
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

JacobErdey
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by JacobErdey » Sun Dec 15, 2019 5:06 pm

So I’m in the process of varnishing my U18. I plan on doing 20 coats of varnish, with sikaflex in the deck grooves, then pinstriping over them after varnishing. My question is, at what stage in the varnishing is the best time to sikaflex the grooves? Between coats 17-18, or sooner, or later??
Current Project: 1950 Chris Craft Sportsman 18'

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tkhersom
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by tkhersom » Sun Dec 15, 2019 5:51 pm

Hi Jacob:

Before I answer I want you to understand that I am an armature "do it yourself-er" who has never used Sikaflex so take anything I say with a grain of salt and with an attitude of "from whence is comes".

I would think that one would want to use the Sikaflex prior to any varnishing. I will be curious to read what the pro's say about this process. :?

On another note: Most CC's left the factory with about 3 coats of varnish, with the selling marina's often, but not always, applying an additional 2 to 4 coats. 20 coats seems to be the theme these days for the pro's with varnish rooms wanting to put out show winning boats, but for a user it may be a bit of overkill, in my humble opinion. It certainly won't hurt to do that much, but takes a lot of time and effort.

Good luck and keep us posted!
Troy in ANE - Former President CCABC

1957 CC 21' Continental "Yorktown" (Mom's boat)
https://www.chris-craft.org/boats/22625/
1985 Formula 242LS "Gottago"
1991 Formula 36PC "Band Aids"

Life Is Too Short To Own An Ugly Boat

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maritimeclassics
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by maritimeclassics » Mon Dec 16, 2019 8:46 am

We clean out the deck grooves with a piece of folded up 80 grit (they get full of varnish in some places) at coat 15. Then we use mahogany colored SikaFlex in the grooves and making sure to give the compound a slight scallop to them. After the SikaFlex is good and dry we then sand the deck with 320 grit to make sure we get the varnish flat and to remove any SikaFlex that may be on the deck. Give the decks 4-5 more coats of varnish and your ready to wet sand and buff or just paint your deck strips.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148

Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout

JacobErdey
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by JacobErdey » Mon Dec 16, 2019 9:16 am

Okay, perfect. Just curious though, any reason not to use white sikaflex? Instead of the mahogany. I just figured the white underneath would serve as somewhat of a fail-safe in the event of some issue with the striping on top. But that’s just pure speculation on my part
Current Project: 1950 Chris Craft Sportsman 18'

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maritimeclassics
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Re: Deck Striping

Post by maritimeclassics » Mon Dec 16, 2019 1:58 pm

We do that so if there is any imperfections in the seams it blends into the deck color better. That way when we paint our lines we can make then nice and straight and even, even know the seam may not be.
Family member of Chris Craft founder
Owner of Maritime Classics
http://www.maritimeclassics.com
Ph# 231-486-6148

Restoration Projects:
1936 25' Gar Wood Custom
1947 Ventnor Hydroplane
1957 17' Deluxe Runabout
1948 25' Chris Craft Sportsman Twin
1959 19' Sliver Arrow Hull #75
1929 26' Chris Craft Custom Runabout
1937 25' Chris Craft Custom Runabout

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