Project FighterCat - River Sport

[dana]

i think you should stick with really bright colors that stick out. you know how dark colors are hard to see sometimes

[FighterCat57]

Looks hot either way but I would prefer a windsheild. I really like the red one you did, that color looks great on this hull.

As far as the stripes go, I wouldnt make them go around the hatch, I would just stop them at the canopy bubble and continue on behind it (If you want stripes).

Keep up the good work...

Thanks!

I have another red lined up. Slightly different red. Red is such a hard color to work with.

[FighterCat57]

i think you should stick with really bright colors that stick out. you know how dark colors are hard to see sometimes

Yeah. Agreed! The hard part is finding the paint pre-mixed and in a can! =)

[dana]

Yeah. Agreed! The hard part is finding the paint pre-mixed and in a can! =)

i know it is but what other paint options have you pursued? what exactly are you using? do you have spray eq.?

[FighterCat57]

i know it is but what other paint options have you pursued? what exactly are you using? do you have spray eq.?

I've been sticking to dupli-color automotive lacquer and acrylic lacquer top coat because it's been working. I'm afraid to venture out because there are so many bonding issues with fiberglass/gelcoat. I've gone round and round for years trying to get paint to stick to fiberglass motorcycle race bodywork and this is the only combination that has worked time and again.

The thing I hate most is when paint pulls off with the tape. This is inevitable with any pre-painted hull from overseas.... But I never worry on the hulls I've painted by hand. The acrylic seems to do the trick.

[dana]

I've been sticking to dupli-color automotive lacquer and acrylic lacquer top coat because it's been working. I'm afraid to venture out because there are so many bonding issues with fiberglass/gelcoat. I've gone round and round for years trying to get paint to stick to fiberglass motorcycle race bodywork and this is the only combination that has worked time and again.

The thing I hate most is when paint pulls off with the tape. This is inevitable with any pre-painted hull from overseas.... But I never worry on the hulls I've painted by hand. The acrylic seems to do the trick.

ok well have you tried any of the new waterbourne basecoats for cars? what your using is also waterbased. ppg makes 100% waterbourne paint. i find it sticks really well to everything.... no sealer at all. str8 on. also you could coat with your acrylic lacqeur as your primer.... but i would try some Envirobase from ppg.

[FighterCat57]

Right now I'm leaning towards no paint at all and just going all carbon fiber.

[GP73]

A windshield would be awesome, but I wouldn't buy a fast boat with it: you know what's going to happen when you flip at +50mph...

Unless it's sealed from behind with FG, but that's more work!

As for paint schemes: I like what I saw so far, red, blue and dark grey, how about metallic silver?

Anybody know a good way to paint on a windshield? I'm having a bitch of a time and keep getting the tap crooked. Honestly that's the reason only one hull has had a window. They're kind of a bitch to get straight. I was hoping to make a vinyl decal for the window, but I'm even having a tough time making that pattern. Sounds silly, but sometimes there's some detail that I get hung up on. Windshields have been one of those things.

I'd really love to have a bolt on windshield accessory.

[GP73]

Wondering if I can afford that...

Right now I'm leaning towards no paint at all and just going all carbon fiber.

[keithbradley]

When you paint/decal the winshield, maybe do the inside of the scoop too? The part of the scoop that would be open on a real boat.

[FighterCat57]

When you paint/decal the winshield, maybe do the inside of the scoop too? The part of the scoop that would be open on a real boat.

Done.

OK, it was too windy and cold to paint today. Mostly humid and windy = bad paint results, so will wait for better weather to try the silver.

In the mean time, I'm working on the charcoal gray and a scale window.

I've come up with an aluminum frame and have some m1 bolts to attach it with. I'll take a shot of it and see what ya think before drilling.

[FighterCat57]

Thoughts on the metal frame? Have a bunch of SS SHCS to finish the machined look.

I'm going to final brush it to smooth it out a bit, so should look more refined.

Also, what about the checkered flag?

[RIPFENCE]

checkered flag is a nice touch...i also like the charcoal color and the silver decals..you could offer decal kits for your hulls to give them different looks..it would be similar to choosing the graphics on a real boat with different schemes...choices are great when it comes to this stuff..i am undecided on the window..i would have to see it complete to decide i think...like the direction you are heading with all this nice job

[FighterCat57]

checkered flag is a nice touch...i also like the charcoal color and the silver decals..you could offer decal kits for your hulls to give them different looks..it would be similar to choosing the graphics on a real boat with different schemes...choices are great when it comes to this stuff..i am undecided on the window..i would have to see it complete to decide i think...like the direction you are heading with all this nice job

Thanks & yeah, choices are cool. Everybody has their own preference and just anyone can buy something off the assembly line.

BTW- I have some dark pvc film to lay in for a real window. Will look like a tinted window, but be laid over the fiberglass, so no risk of structural blowout like other models.

[GP73]

Looks GOOOD!

Checkered flags are nice too! Can I have mine with the Canadian flag?

Thoughts on the metal frame? Have a bunch of SS SHCS to finish the machined look.

I'm going to final brush it to smooth it out a bit, so should look more refined.

Also, what about the checkered flag?