Over the last two days my focus has been on applying the boot stripe for Biscuit, as well as securing her name and hailing port across the transom. I began by removing the topsides tape line - this line indicated the upper strike of her boot stripe. I carefully worked my way around the hull removing this tape line in mostly larger stretches, and then having to come back to further that work by removing the portions that tore away from those stretches of tape due to being trapped beneath the multiple coats of Alexseal topsides paint. With the tape removed, I then applied a thinner line of 3M #233 to ~1/32nd above the topsides paint, leaving that small region to sand and blend into the coming boot stripe.

With the upper portion of the boot stripe on with the more narrow tape, I followed that up with another application of a wider 3M tape that would allow me a buffer of protection against accidentally painting into the fresh topsides finish. I had already struck the waterline, and so to that waterline I repeated the narrow and then wider tape process. This defined region would now become Biscuit's boot stripe - the owner chose red for this cosmetic.

The cost for a quart of Alexseal (~$180) put the project on track for a more affordable boot stripe product, and in the end we settled on Pettit's EZ-Poxy, a single part polyurethane in "Fire Red". With the boot stripe region defined, I then moved on hand-sanding the area to create a tooth to accept the new paint application. Using 220-grit paper, I moved around the boot stripe region taking a careful approach to edge along the tape line. I followed up the sanding with vacuuming the surface and thoroughly wiping it down with acetone. I mixed a small (~3 ounces) pot of paint, lightly reducing it and adding a bit of EZ-Poxy Performance Enhancer. The enhancer improves application laydown, increases hardness and the longevity of the paint. I moved around the hull, painting the boot stripe with a 4" mohair roller. The first coat was on!

The following day, I retuned to Biscuit and hand-sanded the first coat of the boot stripe. I cleaned the surface after sanding, and then applied her second coat. The mils are being built up and the color is improving as the coverage is improving. Second coat on!

I closed out these two days by applying Biscuit's name and hailing port (Lake Martin, Ala). I cleaned Biscuit's up transom with an acetone wipe, and then set up the laser level to find and project her centerline. I eyeballed the naming decal and then followed on making several small adjustments until I had it centered and at an aesthetically pleasing height. Following the process of the manufacture, I produced Biscuit's name onto her transom. She is finally coming together! I followed with application of her hailing port, cleaned up and closed the shop for the day.

Total Hrs: 6.25