When the easy way out isn't a shortcut!
So, we finally got the mast and boom down to bare metal and it had taken longer then we expected, no doubt due to under-performing back and over estimation of ones speedy work skills.
Anyway, I had been talking to the local self proclaimed paint guru and figured we come to an agreement where we were to fully prep and prime the mast, spreaders and boom, and he would use his skill and spray painting equipment to do the two layers of International Perfection two-pack coats. This would work out well as I had work on in the coming week.
So, Danni and I are busy getting everything ready for the big paint on. Thoroughly wash inside and out, dry, wipe down with Motospray Prepwash grease and wax remover (love this stuff) using the two cloth method and give a very light, even coating (more like a dusting) of HiChem Super Etch Primer. Then another slightly heavier even coat. Cans are the easy way of application for this one! The weather played along, although the window was closing slowly as good breeze was forecast for the coming days. Still, I had to get myself sorted for work. We were in good hands, once we did our part of the work. The last thing to do for the day, was to move the mast and bits'n pieces around to the open spray area on the work platform near the water. A final debrief with "the guy" and off we rushed...
Work went well and although the weather had closed in while we were away for the few days, it was once again calm, warm and giving way to the sun.
We couldn't wait to get down to the boatyard to have a look at our labor of love. Walking towards the bright white mast and boom, it looked quiet impressive. That's until we got close up and personal. What the?!?!?!
There were runs and drips all over, dust and sand embedded in the paint and very uneven paint with orange peel here and there!
We couldn't believe it and got quiet upset after all the hard work, sweat and tears we put into it. I saw the guru earlier as we drove in, but he had disappeared by the time we picked our jaws up off the floor.
Just as well, important to stay calm and digest first in these situations. Shouting doesn't achieve anything in the end. Ok, lets get home, have a rum and think this through. Turns out he used a different type of paint (Norglass?) and not the one we specified (International Perfection) and were to pay him for.
SO, I formulated a letter to this man as I wanted to stay composed when confronting him. Part of my anger management strategy. ;-) Did I mention I was irate?! Anyway, we drove over and I was hoping to work with this painter to figure out a way how we could move forward, him getting money and us getting our mast painted. Maybe if we had to sand and prep once again, he would use the right paint and spr...... Never mind. After the profanities coming out of this lowlife, I wasn't going to give him one dime. I didn't even have to say a word, held up the envelope and walked away!
No good throwing good money after bad! SO the next day we gathered the mast, boom and spreaders, rolled them all back to our spot at the back of the car park and started to sand once again. This time around, we got the paint we wanted, got our painting supplies and went to work. Boy does this stuff go on easy! Using a wide roller, we found the microfiber ones worked the best and although when applied it looked a little 'lumpy' for lack of a better word, after a few minutes the paint just spread out evenly, glossed over and settled flat. Amazing!
We were told to use a mohair roller for the final coat for the best finish, but I didn't know that they had to be cleared from loose hair and fluff and prepped correctly prior, so the final finish wasn't as good as the first, but still a damn site better then the "professional" did!
So we lost another few days in this process, but we're so happy we didn't accept substandard work.
The boat is worth it and so are we! :-)
So now all that is left is let it all cure and then it's onto replacing the fittings... Who would have know that finding the right rivets could be so difficult? But that is the next episode, or the one after, as we have some pressing work to do to the boat itself. :-)
