Primer and coffee

Most days for the last week have started early... about 4:30 am, with me holding a cup of coffee in one hand while stirring a can of primer with the other. Somehow, it has become a relaxing and familiar ritual.

I suppose I should back up a little. Because, before the multiple coats of primer came multiple coats of epoxy. Encapsulation, you know: coating the wood with 2 or 3 layers of epoxy to water-seal it.

In this case, I've been working on the stem.

I'd roll on a thin layer of System 3 Silvertip epoxy, using a thin foam roller. Once that layer cured, I'd sand it lightly, clean it off, and roll on another coat. Originally, I had planned to just do two coats. However, I went ahead and applied a third layer, just to be thorough.

Encapsulating the stem with epoxy. Here, you can see where I've also started "pre-fairing" the stem at the bow.

I have tried to fill in low spots, etc, in order to have a smooth surface. Here, you can see where I've filled in the screw head indentations with plastic wood. Also, on the back of the stem, you can see darker areas where I have filled in low spots with thickened epoxy. One other thing I did was to slightly round-over the edges to allow for better epoxy and paint coverage... as well as a generally more attractive look on the edges.

After the epoxy, came the Aquaguard 190 primer. I'd brush on a layer & let it dry, then flip the piece and brush the other side. Then I'd sand it all lightly, and repeat... slowly leveling the surface. I lost count, but I think I've put 5 coats of primer on it so far.

I may put on a 6th coat, just to get the surface as smooth as possible. Or, I may just leave it. It's only the stem, after all, and no one will see it. 

We'll see what the coffee tells me to do tomorrow.