R Stern

Transom - The Transom was in the same condition as the other parts of the boat. It needed attention. From years of unprotected exposure to the suns UV rays the mahogany had black stains on the starboard side. Additionally, there were originally supplied parts that were missing.

Over the years and owners, many different types of stains, colors, tints, sealers and varnishes had been used on the boat. The net effect was that the exposed woodwork did not have a uniform color, texture or finish. The choice was made to try to achieve a level of consistency. In order to achieve a uniform look the decision was made to strip, sand, stain and refinish all the wood.

Transom - The woodwork was first painted with multiple applications of Strypeeze paint and varnish remover followed by hand scraping to remove the accumulated old finish.

Any nicks, dings, scratches or blemishes were repaired using Famowood mahogany wood filler. With the surface repaired, the wood was smoothed using 120 and then 220-grit sandpaper producing a clean smooth finish.

The woodwork was painted with the grain with Interlux – #573 C.C. Red Mahogany Wood Filler Stain that had been thinned 50% by volume. After the stain had set-up for approximately 5 minutes the excess was rubbed off against the grain with a cotton towel.

The wood was painted with three applications of West System 105 / 205 epoxy. The epoxy was thinned 100% by volume with lacquer thinner to the consistency of water. The epoxy was applied with a foam roller and then tipped off with a foam brush to remove any bubbles. This process allowed the epoxy to slowly seep into and seal the wood. After each application had dried for 24 hours, it was lightly sanded with 120-grit sandpaper. The whited-out epoxy was then vacuumed and wiped-down with a cotton towel and paint thinner.

The wood was coated with six applications of Interlux - #95 � Goldspar Varnish. In order to achieve a consistent uniform coverage, the varnish was applied using a 3� - 1/8� nap foam roller and then tipped-off with a foam brush. After drying, each application was lightly smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. The object is to fill the valleys and sand off the peaks. Before the final application, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

In preparation for the finish paint, two coats of Interlux – Pre-Kote White primer were rolled and tipped using a 1/8� nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush. After each coat had dried, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. The primed wood was then rolled and tipped using a 1/8� nap foam roller and a 2" foam brush with two coats of Interlux Brightside - White. After the first coat had dried, the paint was smoothed with 220-grit sandpaper. Before final painting, the wood was vacuumed and then wiped-down with a tack-rag and paint thinner.

Bob Bothum of LPX Sales & Service supplied the "Chris-Craft" name hardware and new stern light.

The old name boards were re-lettered and the wood was coated with six coats of Interlux - #95 – Goldspar Varnish.