That Damned Brown Stripe

[rpmerrill]

I used that title to get your attention. This post is about the stripe.
I like the stripe. It sets off the boat, especially with the blue hull.
(I always wanted a blue boat until I got one.) I have taken good care of my blue hull and get it polished and waxed every spring at least. It does fade towards the end of the season but I'm always proud of it.

My white cabin top, although fussy, isn't too hard to polish and wax myself. And I touch it up later in the season. White is way more forgiving.

Then there is the brown stripe, simulated planking that wraps the cabin. It takes quite a beating from the sun and water. Fades quickly and it really shows. I even went so far as to get some of that poly-glow stuff at the boat show. I had some success with it on the eyebrows and then tried it on the brown. Not too bad. It looked good for a season and now really needs a redo. That means lots of scotch-brite efforts. I just seem to be putting that off this season. Ugh.

Question: Has anyone found a better solution? What about painting it. Can it be done DIY, rolling and tipping? What is a good paint to use?

 

[Red Raven]

I just use the polisher on it with rubbing compound like the rest of the boat. Comes out great so far.

Curt

 

[dclagett]

I agree with the title. Worked hard this spring getting that strip looking good with 3M compound & Fleet Wax, looking bad again in 2.5 months. I have not had any experience with painting but understand that AWLGRIP or AWLCRAFT is the way to go. I have heard that the prep work for those paints is time consuming, I have not run into anyone that has done it themselves, but I believe there is a video on the internet that shows the process.

 

[rick.southard]

I would contact Kevin at Premiere Custom Ceramic Coating. (https://premierceramiccoating.com/)

I think Kevin could suggest someone in you area to help. Kevin and crew detailed our R-25SC Andiamo and the stripe looks as good as new (maybe better and I remember her as new).

The ceramic coating will keep it from oxidizing for at least 3 years and with care as long as 5 years. It is pricey to do the whole boat but the stripe shouldn't be too bad and our Ranger Gray (dark gray) hull looked so good I would consider your blue hull too, it might not be much more costly than 5 years of hiring someone to buff and wax it.

**by the way I benefit in no way from this recommendation I am just so impressed with this process and product I want to share. I coated my truck myself with a product called CanCoat and it is still like new after 6 years.

 

[knotflying]

If you do paint it go with Awlgrip. I am never adverse to doing things myself, but I also pick my battles. I would let a shop qualified to do it handle the job. I would also like to see other jobs they have done. I have seen awlgrip jobs that were outstanding and others not so good. I can't imagine the stripe being that expensive to do. The other alternative would be the ceramic coating.

 

[Brian B]

The stripe is a royal PIA with it's vertical grooves that need to be cleaned of the products or they show a vertical white stripe. I wonder if that stripe could be vinyl wrapped?
I don't have to deal with it any longer, sold the boat.

 

[rpmerrill]

Yup, I have had to clean out those grooves of residue when polishing myself.

Thinking of them as white, might not be a crazy idea.
It could be an interesting decorative touch.

 

[ksmoth62]

If you go with paint I would go with Awlgrip over Awlcraft. Awlcraft is easier to repair however Awlgrip is more durable.
I have experience with both on the same boat and would never use Awlcraft. Gary

 

[Trisailor]

I'll second Rick's comments on ceramic. I'm in the process of detailing my claret red R27 and applying ceramic. So far I've gotten the cabin top and half the hull done. I'm doing it myself and it's a lot of backbreaking work, especially with the boat in the water. The results are spectacular. The brown stripe looks new. The eyebrows and hull look new. The test case of the eyebrows and red stripe on the stack really stand out. Even the plastic Ranger Tug logos on the stack came out nice and clear. The eyebrows are going on a month in the So Cal sun and look as good as the day I applied the ceramic. Fleet wax only lasted about two weeks before getting all cloudy and chalky looking. I watched a lot of Youtube videos on how to buff out the hull and how to apply ceramic. Ceramic does require some maintenance, but a bi weekly wash and application of a spray on SiO2 is a lot easier than constant messing with wax that just dries out and turns the boat pink.

 

[dclagett]

I assume you are on the Choptank River. I would talk to the folks at Composite Yacht next to Ferry Point across the river from Cambridge. They not only build boats but also do a significant amount of painting. They use Awlcraft and the results I have seen are excellent. I am not trying to start an argument here with others just letting you know what I have seen. There is a boat at the Cambridge Yacht Club 4 slips from mine that was painted by Composite 8 or 9 years ago and it looks great. If you want I could meet you at CYC and show you the boat, PM me if interested.

 

[nzfisher]

Painting with synthetics is dangerous for your lungs and risk of explosion. Should by done by pros in a booth or outdoors with a really good fitting respirator or pumped air mask. Not brushable if you expect a good result. I have given up on burgundy eyebrows. Coated the hull and rest of the boat with ceramic and am pleased with result and ease of clean up.

 

[rpmerrill]

I am at Ferry Point.
A visit to Composite is probably the next step.
Thanks
r

 

[Trisailor]

I would contact Kevin at Premiere Custom Ceramic Coating. (https://premierceramiccoating.com/)

I think Kevin could suggest someone in you area to help. Kevin and crew detailed our R-25SC Andiamo and the stripe looks as good as new (maybe better and I remember her as new).

The ceramic coating will keep it from oxidizing for at least 3 years and with care as long as 5 years. It is pricey to do the whole boat but the stripe shouldn't be too bad and our Ranger Gray (dark gray) hull looked so good I would consider your blue hull too, it might not be much more costly than 5 years of hiring someone to buff and wax it.

**by the way I benefit in no way from this recommendation I am just so impressed with this process and product I want to share. I coated my truck myself with a product called CanCoat and it is still like new after 6 years.

Just a follow up, I've posted a couple of before and after pictures in my photo album of the results of my ceramic coating adventure. As can be seen, my hull is badly oxidized. Some of that is sun damaged wax. I have tried all the different recommended waxes, even the Meguiars synthetic. At three weeks, the ceramic on the eyebrows has already outlasted the synthetic. Even the local "dock committee is impressed, all the while offering sage advice -"just coat the hull with penetrol" and many more suggestions.

 

[Kevinandcarol]

This is a picture of ricks boat after we detailed and Ceramic coated it. Any interest in having us make your boat look like this PM Me. Thanks Kevin