My family and I just inherited a Cape Dory Typhoon Sailboat...To be honest, I don't even know the specifications..but I promised my father that I would work on it's exterior...painting, polishing, etc. How do I go about that? Do I use certain kinds of paints? How do I fix cracks? The same way I would if I were say, working on a wall??? I'm sorry I am so naive...but I would like some help....Thanks very much!
Sona_Doran@suffieldacademy.org
The exterior
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Re: The exterior
Sona, I'd start with the fiberglass hull first. I switched to 3M fiberglass cleaner and polish this year. There are 2 different ones. One is for heavy oxidation, the other is for light oxidation. I suspect you need the one for heavy oxidation. If you can afford it, invest in a buffer. If not, the 3M seems to be "user friendly" even without one. Take your time. If it doesn't come out right the first time, try it again. Stick to a small area at a time. For the cracks, and teak restoration, follow this bulletin board for regular advise. Also, search for "crack repair" and "teak" here on this same BB. Under all that hazy fiberglass and gray teak, she's still a Cape Dory. The boat will respond to a lot of elbow grease and TLC.
bobohler@chesapeake.net
bobohler@chesapeake.net