Seatback Lockers | Stripping & Sanding

Stripping the paint from the two seatback lockers was always going to be difficult, so I left it until last.

The main problem was accessibility. Not only was there a fully enclosed space at the rear of the locker, but the boom gallows tube support block was smack in the way.

There was nothing to do but get stuck in. Here I am at the start of the exercise with paint stripper and a bucket of water.

This is the partly stripped starboard locker with a selection of tools which I tried.

As with the companionway hood, it turned out that a stainless steel scouring pad was the most effective method.

This is the stripped starboard locker with the mirror which is essential for seeing into otherwise invisible and inaccessible places.

And this is another view of the starboard locker, with the boom gallows tube support clearly visible and very much in the way!

I am pleased that paint stripping is now complete, and I can progress to getting ready for new paint.

Onwards and upwards!

Companionway Hood | Stripping & Sanding

I was not looking forward to removing all the old paint from inside the companionway hood, but it had to be done.

The first task was to cover the interior of the cabin to protect it from splashes of paint stripper, which would be inevitable no matter how careful I was.

I covered the floorboards with a sheet of plastic, and masked off the walls with polythene sheeting. Like this.

Then I got to work with the paint stripper. I mainly used a stainless steel scouring pad to strip the paint, although a pear-shaped blade in the small Bahco scraper was very useful in seams and corners. This is it.

It was messy, tedious and unpleasant work but at least it was not too difficult.

I eventually prevailed. This is the front of the hood, freshly stripped.

The drain holes were reamed out to get rid of the old paint and congested stripper. This is on the port side.

And this is the whole interior. Stripped, sanded and washed clean.

I think there is a good case for making the hood removable for maintenance, since it will inevitably require repainting during its lifetime.

So that's that - ready for paint!

Next job is the seatback lockers, which will be even more unpleasant...