DeWe flipped the Captivator, fully intending to extract all of the residual black walnut stain from the topsides using Circa 1850 paint and varnish remover. But I decided to test removing the bottom paint, first with a heat gun and scraper, and when that failed, grabbed our infrared Silent Stripper.
The entire bottom had been glazed with the same wood filler we have already encountered elsewhere. In some places the “glaze” was as much as 3/16” deep. The heat gun softened the paint, but scraping it off the filler proved impossible.
Even though its operating range is 300-500 degree Fahrenheit, the filler began vaporizing and smoking, and quickly even a full-face respirator failed to protect me against the noxious odors and gases, so away it went.
While I do not enjoy using a chemical removed in the presence of what I am virtually certain is lead paint, a test with the Circa 1850 not only bubbled the paint, it also softened the filler to the point that, with lots of effort, I was able to scrape 95%+ of it down to bare wood.
My attention turned to stripping the bottom below the waterline, so the topsides are still waiting to be de-stained.
Sanding the entire bottom with 100 grit followed the stripping, and then I began inspecting the bottom for issues and defects, of which you will see were many indeed.
At this juncture our hope, not our expectation, is that we can repair the damage and issues you will see in this clip. Time will tell whether repair morphs into required replacement as we begin working on the red cedar bottom planking.
Vintage Boat Preservation
