Scrolly-thingie rennovation, part II

[Captain Greg]

As you can see the white paint had cracks. This factored heavilly in my decision to do rustic. Also, like I said, if they looked really new everything nearby would look terrible.

I did just the scrollwork and let it dry. The white was next. You can either use a really hard foam roller or foam brush. The latter is a bit meticulous but works, especially if you're on an island and that's all you have with you. The trick is to keep lots of paint on the brush, and a rag for when it drips into the valleys. The first coat is where you want to be meticulous on the edges. Second and third can be farther away from the edges and still work.

Finally, after letting the white dry thoroughly, take some blue tape and mask off the outer edges.I did just inside of the little valley so it was blue. The trick to masking is to not stop your finger while applying. Follow the curves like you're playing with a Hot Wheel on the back of the couch. If there's no one around it's acceptable to go, "Vvvrroooom" while doing it.

Now take the piece and set it on top the cabin so that when you spill blue it gets on your boat. Lay it against the grab rail so you'll have a good excuse to re-do the teak, since there's now blue paint on that too. Put lots of blue paint on the edges so it looks newer than the scrolly things in the middle. This adds dimension to your work. (I actually liked the overall effect I ended up with.)

Let them dry in the sun but not completely. This serves two purposes: When you set it across your Zodiac it gets blue on that, and also allows you to place fingerprints in the edges for permanent posterity. But you don't want to do it in the rain tomorrow.

Place it on the bow and screw starting with the outer ones and working your way toward the center. When you get to the center and realize the screws won't line up, remove the whole thing and do it the other way around. This is all done while holding the boat steady with your head behind the stay. Prepare threats for the teenage girl taking videos of you with her cellphone.

Once finished, row out to take pictures of the contrast between your new piece and your old hull paint. Now you have to do that. But at least it no longer looks like it was painted with dog poop.

Notice the bald eagle in the tree in the last picture...