Mirror project

Originally posted by about a boat Problem is only some of the paint is flaking. Therefore would it be be best to remove the loose stuff and sand the rest, prime the bare wood and then paint? IF sanding the varnished areas I assume you would not need to be too aggressive around the taped seams otherwise the tape will dissappear.

Yep. pretty much for whatever my opinion is worth. Remember the glass is the only bonding on that boat, so you must remove *none* of it. There is no useful strength in the wood to wood butt joints.

If not epoxy (which it is unlikely to be) then the seams will have been done with polyester resin, the stuff used in building most GRP boats. This is an excellent plastic for holding glass strands in, but not such a good glue to stick to wood. However, 10's of thousands of Mirrors were built this way, and the vast majority have been fine for a long, long time.

I've used hot air guns round taped seams. So long as you are careful, and don't keep the heat in one place, generally the only seams to lift are the dodgy ones anyway. However, Jim's advice on sanding back if you can is excellent. Just remember to wear something to keep the dust out of your lungs...

OK. Was not preparing to go that far. Looking at the number on the hull it is either a late 70's or a late 80's Mirror. Hard to tell as the second digit has a hole drilled through it to shakle on the main sheet block and could be either a zero or an eight!

Edited by about a boat - 27 Sep 13 at 9:28am

I have an old Mirror. The paint on the hull can do with stripping back to the wood and while I am at it I might as well do the deck & interior too. What is the best method to strip it back? I would think a heat gun but would this weaken the tape and epoxy? Also I know you can get some sort of substance to put on dicoloured/rotted wood and treats it. Forgot what it is called. Any ideas and help would be great. Thanks