Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Just made a start on the refurb of Meggy Moo, our early Shetland 535. Here is how she looked before we started...
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Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Stage 1 – CLEAN ALL THE GUNGE AND SCALE OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE HULL
After much research on t’web I purchased some HG ‘Scale Away (3x stronger)’ limescale remover. Part of the bottom of the hull was almost black with dirt and scale but this stuff cleaned it up without difficulty. Well, apart from lying on your back under the trailer spraying it on and scrubbing for a few hours that is…
There’s a fair bit of area to cover, and access wasn’t the easiest but thankfully, not much elbow-grease was needed and soon the hull was looking pristine clean and free from all foul-pest.
Next job – remove all the extraneous items on the hull and rub down the entire boat ready for painting.
After much research on t’web I purchased some HG ‘Scale Away (3x stronger)’ limescale remover. Part of the bottom of the hull was almost black with dirt and scale but this stuff cleaned it up without difficulty. Well, apart from lying on your back under the trailer spraying it on and scrubbing for a few hours that is…
There’s a fair bit of area to cover, and access wasn’t the easiest but thankfully, not much elbow-grease was needed and soon the hull was looking pristine clean and free from all foul-pest.
Next job – remove all the extraneous items on the hull and rub down the entire boat ready for painting.
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Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
The rub down has started but, alas, it looks like this weekend's weather is going to be "pants" so probably won't progress until next week now.. 
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Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Good work. Keep the updates coming, I always like reading restoration stories!
Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Second that, not only for the before and after "reveal" but the "ah, cunning I can do that on mine" thing!
Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Yep.. 
My last project was my VW campervan and I regret not posting up the story on one of the VW forums. Hopefully I'll make up for that omission with the Meggy project.
Watch this space but you may need to be patient - I am supposed to hold down a job in my spare time...
My last project was my VW campervan and I regret not posting up the story on one of the VW forums. Hopefully I'll make up for that omission with the Meggy project.
Watch this space but you may need to be patient - I am supposed to hold down a job in my spare time...
Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Stage 2 (the saga) continues .. remove all extraneous items from the hull...
Well getting some items off has not proven easy. Last weekend I turned to the removal of the bow pulpit rail. This has a broken weld and is a bit distorted so a touch of refurbisment is needed . But first I had to get it off. The fastenings were horrible rusty plain headed things, held on with ugly painted wingnuts under the deck. It was obvious they wouldn't come off neatly so the angle grinder was employed. I ground off the heads and then pulled the fasteners out from underneath, which worked OK until the angle grinder gave up the ghost!
Luckily, the only ones left at that stage were the ones holding the broken mounting so the rail came away, leaving just those two to remove after I get a new grinder...
Well getting some items off has not proven easy. Last weekend I turned to the removal of the bow pulpit rail. This has a broken weld and is a bit distorted so a touch of refurbisment is needed . But first I had to get it off. The fastenings were horrible rusty plain headed things, held on with ugly painted wingnuts under the deck. It was obvious they wouldn't come off neatly so the angle grinder was employed. I ground off the heads and then pulled the fasteners out from underneath, which worked OK until the angle grinder gave up the ghost!
Luckily, the only ones left at that stage were the ones holding the broken mounting so the rail came away, leaving just those two to remove after I get a new grinder...
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Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Pic of the fastener heads
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Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
The next thing I tried to remove were the wooden roof rails (the cabin hatch came off easily after its rubber catches were undone).
However, the screws wouldn't budge (of course) and despite using top-quality, brand new Guhring drill bits I've even been unable to drill them out - so far.. I think, like the remaining pulpit rail fasteners, they will succumb to the attentions of a shiny new angle grinder... In fact I can see the grinder being resorted to for a few other things that need to come off prior to painting.
One thing is for sure, when this boat gets put back together it will be with top-quality stainless steel or titanium fasteners!
Next instalment: the (hopefully) final stripdown prior to paint.
However, the screws wouldn't budge (of course) and despite using top-quality, brand new Guhring drill bits I've even been unable to drill them out - so far.. I think, like the remaining pulpit rail fasteners, they will succumb to the attentions of a shiny new angle grinder... In fact I can see the grinder being resorted to for a few other things that need to come off prior to painting.
One thing is for sure, when this boat gets put back together it will be with top-quality stainless steel or titanium fasteners!
Next instalment: the (hopefully) final stripdown prior to paint.
Re: Shetland 535 refurb step by step
Progress continues with the epic Stage 2:
I’ve now managed to strip most items off the outside of the hull, to make preparation and painting easier. Many were not easy to remove though, needing copious applications of the angle grinder. Even the screws for the roof rails proved obstinate and needed to be ‘persuaded’ via electrically powered abrasion …
I now have some areas which will need repairs but I’m not sure which holes should be filled as I haven’t yet decided what’s going back on. The pulpit rail won’t be (I may fit a smaller, neater one) and the wooden roof rails might be retained, or might be replaced with stainless ones. Smaller items like cleats, fender eyes etc will be replaced and the new items may not match the hole patterns of the old ones. Advice welcomed on this point!
Anyway, my next visit will be with body filler and then let the sanding and painting commence
I’ve now managed to strip most items off the outside of the hull, to make preparation and painting easier. Many were not easy to remove though, needing copious applications of the angle grinder. Even the screws for the roof rails proved obstinate and needed to be ‘persuaded’ via electrically powered abrasion …
I now have some areas which will need repairs but I’m not sure which holes should be filled as I haven’t yet decided what’s going back on. The pulpit rail won’t be (I may fit a smaller, neater one) and the wooden roof rails might be retained, or might be replaced with stainless ones. Smaller items like cleats, fender eyes etc will be replaced and the new items may not match the hole patterns of the old ones. Advice welcomed on this point!
Anyway, my next visit will be with body filler and then let the sanding and painting commence
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