Maintenance
A Scout is careful of possessions and equipment.
Boat maintenance is important. A poorly maintained boat can be dangerous. Boats are expensive to buy but if properly maintained can last pretty well forever. The HMS Victory was an old ship at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 but she is still around because she has been looked after.
Wooden boats are best stored under cover during the winter somewhere with good ventilation. It can be indoors or under plastic sheeting but if under plastic you need to be particularly careful to ensure air can circulate.
Alternatively a wooden boat can be stored outside but be careful not to let rain water build up. The easiest way to prevent that is to turn the boat upside down.
Boat maintenance is important. A poorly maintained boat can be dangerous. Boats are expensive to buy but if properly maintained can last pretty well forever. The HMS Victory was an old ship at the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 but she is still around because she has been looked after.
Wooden boats are best stored under cover during the winter somewhere with good ventilation. It can be indoors or under plastic sheeting but if under plastic you need to be particularly careful to ensure air can circulate.
Alternatively a wooden boat can be stored outside but be careful not to let rain water build up. The easiest way to prevent that is to turn the boat upside down.
Safety First
When doing boat maintenance safety is important. Sanding generates dust which may be harmful or even toxic. It is an excellent idea to wear a dusk mask, if only to stop your snot turning to the colour of the paint.
Always read the label on the bottle or tin of whatever you are using. Some chemicals can harm the skin and a long sleeved top and gloves would be prudent.
In any case old clothes are best as paint will inevitably get on you clothes no matter how careful you are. The person next to you may not be so careful.
Always read the label on the bottle or tin of whatever you are using. Some chemicals can harm the skin and a long sleeved top and gloves would be prudent.
In any case old clothes are best as paint will inevitably get on you clothes no matter how careful you are. The person next to you may not be so careful.
Painting
Paint performs two roles.
It can give an attractive, colourful appearance.
It protects the wood from moisture. Dry wood will not rot but once the moisture level starts rising it may be attacked by a fungus which causes rot.
The first step in painting a wooden surface is to make sure the surface is prepared.
1. Make sure it is clean, free of dust and oil and that it is dry.
2. If it has previously been painted the first step is to scrape off any loose or flaking paint so that any paint remaining is sound. It is ok to paint over so long as the surface has been sanded (about 120 grade) to give a slightly rough surface (a key) for the next layer of paint to stick.
Now that you have sanded it needs to be wiped down to remove the dust generated. A rag with a little methylated spirits or white spirits can be used to wipe down and remove the dust.
It can give an attractive, colourful appearance.
It protects the wood from moisture. Dry wood will not rot but once the moisture level starts rising it may be attacked by a fungus which causes rot.
The first step in painting a wooden surface is to make sure the surface is prepared.
1. Make sure it is clean, free of dust and oil and that it is dry.
2. If it has previously been painted the first step is to scrape off any loose or flaking paint so that any paint remaining is sound. It is ok to paint over so long as the surface has been sanded (about 120 grade) to give a slightly rough surface (a key) for the next layer of paint to stick.
Now that you have sanded it needs to be wiped down to remove the dust generated. A rag with a little methylated spirits or white spirits can be used to wipe down and remove the dust.
Bare wood should be primed first.
When painting it is important not to put the paint on too thickly. It will dribble an look terrible. It won't dry properly and won't will get all over things that were not to be painted.
On the other hand if it is put on too thinly it won't provide the protection you were hoping for.
It is best to go back to the tin often rather than trying to load the brush and brush strokes should be along the grain if painting wood and along the long axis of a panel if painting GRP or ply-wood.
When painting it is important not to put the paint on too thickly. It will dribble an look terrible. It won't dry properly and won't will get all over things that were not to be painted.
On the other hand if it is put on too thinly it won't provide the protection you were hoping for.
It is best to go back to the tin often rather than trying to load the brush and brush strokes should be along the grain if painting wood and along the long axis of a panel if painting GRP or ply-wood.