Time for an update.
Although not wired or plumbed, my new instrument panel is ready for completion. I finally decided to go with the all red finish and to keep it warm, there's a nice new top-coat with a smart platted belt. The windscreen will fit around it and will be finished with a nice 'chrome' strip.
So as not to smash my face into the panel in an emergency, I'm in the process of fitting a 4 point safety harness, (only AU$35 on Ebay. Brand new)
Now, I've spoken about replacing the rotten skins with a resin impregnated Lycra. Having finally got the correct pressure foot and needle for my sewing machine, I decided to have a go on the skeg, that being the smallest part to 'cock-up'. As you can see, the Dacron is past it's best and certainly needs replacing.
I removed the skin and after measuring it, I modeled it on SketchUp, and the scaled it down to allow for the stretch of the Lycra. This first effort was too small and I also realised that it would need to stretch more in one direction that other.
This is the final size I came up with. Quite a bit smaller that the original and a hell of a lot cheaper than the replacement Dacron. My first purchase of Lycra was from Spotlight(for convenience) and a meter cost me about $35. I will source the bulk buy elsewhere at $10 per meter.
Before things got 'sticky', I had decided to cover the tubes with grease-proof paper, just in case it has to come off again. My other half says it's too porous and won't work!!!
Not a clear picture but the most difficult part was pinning it in place. Trying to inset small headed pins (they're going to stay embedded in the resin) whist the Lycra is trying to shrink back to it's original size. Another pair of hands might have been a bonus.
Happy with the first fit,
I proceeded to the first, thinned coat of resin. Mistake one, thinned it too much and found it difficult to get an even coating.
Pressed on regardless, after all, it can/might come of again.
Second coat hid some of the first coat errors
So pressed on to the third and final coat. Doesn't look too bad. Brush strokes are evident but not unsightly. The final tension is almost the same as the Dacron, so I'm well pleased with the result. Managed to get it done in just over 6 hours(applying resin and letting coats dry slightly between coats. Fully dry in the 6hrs.
Mi intention had been to add strips along the vertical tube to act as joint covers between the fin/skeg and rudder. A lightly 'resined' piece will bent very easily as the rudder is moved. However, I found that the Lycra roll on istself if no pinned in place so I'll make them separately and add them later.
As usual, helpful comment are welcome gentlemen. Please don't criticize if you have nothing to base your criticism on.
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