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Our Restorations | Our Materials | Press & Testimonials | Awards
Our Materials
We are regularly contacted by both restorers and potential buyers concerning the materials we use to achieve our restoration results. As with our methods, we are happy to share brands and varieties of these products. When we first started in this game others were extremely forthcoming with information and advice that was truly helpful, so this is nothing more than returning favors. After more than 5 years of nearly non-stop effort (and a few awards) there are some products that we’ve found to be clearly superior in terms of use and result. So, in a feeble effort to reduce the number of inquiries (just kidding – you can call or e-mail us anytime), here is a summary of tried and true very high performance materials. Remember – even the best stuff won’t cover for a job that lacks the care and attention to detail sufficient for you to stand back from the finished project and say to yourself (usually only to yourself) “Damn, that looks nice!”
Sandpaper
We’ve found Mirka abrasives to be well out in front of the pack. Their Abranet products are extraordinary performers and we use them exclusively with our air tools. A reference to Abranet as ‘sandpaper’ isn’t really fair since the sheets are abrasive coated net lattice that you can actually see through. Needless to say, it clears better than anything we’ve seen on the market, doesn’t heat up and is really aggressive. All of these traits add up to a sanding experience that almost qualifies as fun. (Hmmmmm)
While on the topic of so-called fun, Mirka makes another product that you owe at least a trial. Mirlon Total mesh is the easiest, quickest and most consistent material for hand sanding we’ve ever used. The very fine (360 grit) and ultra fine (1500 grit) are so aggressive that sanding between coats of varnish and paint goes about twice as fast compared to anything else on the market. The results are remarkable. You can find more about their products and dealers near you at www.mirka-usa.com.
Filler
There are really no secrets to getting the results we’ve become known for, so there’s not much value in making them out to be so. As has been said, ‘Nothing like hard work and the proper materials to show a good job’. Having used 3 or 4 different products to create an almost perfectly fared canvas hull, we can now say that Interlux Interfill 833 is as good as it gets. Yep, it’s messy to work with however the adhesion is like no other and you can sand it to almost molecular thickness. Truly can’t say enough good about this product – light weight, great color contrast, etc…Please do yourself a big favor by following the directions. This means applying it over filled canvas that has at least 1 coat of Epoxy Primecoat and then another coat of primer over the finished faring. Paint directly over the Interfill and you’ll regret it. Amazing stuff!
Paint
Having used a variety of hull paints, Interlux Yacht paints have emerged as the best performers, both in ease of application and durability. While Interlux Brightside has been called for on a number of our custom restorations and we’ve enjoyed working with it, most of our craft are painted with 2-part Interlux Perfection. With either brushing or spraying, Perfection is very predictable, has great flow and yields an automotive quality finish with little or no sanding. The real bonus comes with its use on filled canvas or raw wood that has been prep’d with Interlux Epoxy Primecoat. It is by far the toughest most durable paint we’ve experienced and ideal for normal (rocks, downed trees, car tops, sand, paddle whacks) use. With our own canoes and guide-boats we’ve inflicted inadvertent abuse that only caused the finish to dent when, by rights; it really should have cracked or chipped. I could go on about this but a visit to the Interlux website (www.yachtpaint.com) will spare you my ramblings.
If you happen to be involved with a project other than a traditional restoration (that requires traditional varnish) you may want to try Interlux Schooner Gold. While combining toughness with a very nice varnish finish, this product is extremely versatile. At room temperature, Schooner Gold can be over coated after 5 hours or up to one month without sanding between coats. This is the stuff of every wood finishers dreams. Interlux recommends that you sand after every 3rd coat to enhance the final appearance although this is optional.
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