Posted by NCWhaler on 10/19/16 - 8:02 PM
#43
In the belly of the beast: based on the five hours of sanding thus far, I would estimate it will take 20 hours to get all the bottom paint off with 40 grit followed by 80 grit and then 120 to prepare for gelcoat, about 100 square feet by estimation. Note in the picture there is a round area of retained brick red bottom paint. This is a "low spot" caused by the hull sitting on a wobble roller from the PO's trailer setup, others are similar and one shows evidence of prior bodywork. The area is not delaminated from the foam as evidenced by a normal percussion test, but it will be faired level with glazing putty and definitely proves that it is a bad idea to not use keel rollers on a classic Whaler. One caveat, if you place a keel roller on your axle, stiffen the axle by sistering it to a piece of extruded aluminum or other support or the axle may sag and unevenly wear the trailer tires (don't ask me how I know this.)
Additionally the photo illustrates leaving paint on the edges of the chines when using aggressive sandpaper on a sander. These edges are best treated with 120 grit by hand.