Replacing Stratoglass(?)
Posted: March 26th, 2023, 4:58 pm
Today I finished my first panel of .040 O’Sea replacement. I heard horro stories of don’t take it apart, you will lose the shape, Your feet will turn green, etc. HOWEVER because I AM Tony. I was up for the task. This was one of the side bridge panels. I pinned it down to a /4” piec of plywood, then used a sharp razor knife to slide between canvas and vinyl to cut the stitches. Yes, there was old basting tape, so it was a bit gooey, but that was good for me. When I finished the outside, Since it was still in securely, I flipped it over, repainted it and cut the other side until free. Then I worked the old vinyl out. I painstakingly pulled all teh revenant stitching out, rubbed the canvas goo with Acetone and got the sticky off. Next, took the old vinyl to the tracing board (living room floor) and used a grease pencil to trace it to the new sheet. used scissors to cut it out. Did a dry fit, a needed to cut a small “V” in teh vinyl where the pins were stuck in, no problem as there was plenty of meat. I payed the new vinyl on top and applied basting tape along the old marks of the old vinyl. I used 1/2”. Next flipped it over and did same, but used 3/8” in case I needed adjustments. This was the tough part, slowly peeled back the canvas and slid the new vinyl into the slot. This took me about an hour to get the vinyl perfectly where is needed to be. Then peeled off the protector of the top of the basting tape, and inch by inch, worked the canvas back onto the vinyl. Once in place, we pressed it down. It was secure. Un pinned, flipped it over, reprinted and pulled the other side to where it needed to be and pressed hard. Rest was easy, use the mighty LSZ (what a mighty machine! I do recommend the Monster wheel as it sewed slowly and controllable. I did coat the needle with beeswax. that stopped the tackiness of teh tape from sticking to the needle. The rest is below in pictures. I am placing this and teh videos on teh Carver Yachtowners Facebook page. Next, week the other side, then the rear panel that is above the hardtop. Excuse pics if they are sideways, as I cannot get that straight yet!
