MacGregorSailors.com

The previous owner polished the hull but let the topsides chalk. The boat was 2yrs old when I bought it so I went to work buffing the topsides back to life. Needless to say I went all in. Random orbital Porter Cable buffer, 3 grades of compound, top rated marine waxes rated by Practical Sailor. A few months of sunshine and the top sides are dull like before.

So today I thru in the towel, power washed and scrubbed with soft brush and scrub pad. Then grabbed a bottle of Nufinish and polished the topsides with 2 coats. End result is a satin sheen but as expected no deep gloss shine. Time will tell

NuFinish is not a wax but a ptf sealer. I'll keep you posted. Keep in mind the stripes were dull but not chalked or heavily oxidized.

Has anyone tried this without buffing fist?

Last year I just painted them

After nine seasons, I just got tired of polishing them. This is the start of season ten with the boat, and season one with the newly painted stripes, and I am satisfied, so far.

Why do we call them coon stripes, instead of what they are, simulated windows I guess coon stripes is easier.

Ray

I've been using penetrol on mine.
Ix

I used NewGlass2 on our bandit stripe (ha, yeah, another term for it! LOL) and have been very pleased with it. This is the second season we've used it. This year I didn't even strip the old layer. Just added 2 more coats over it and it looks great!

Before:


After:

The 26X is such a beautiful boat without them. I'm thinking of including that in my modification list.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1614

Not sure how to include hot link to the mods section.

The chalking is the least of my concerns with these stripes, what really bugs me is the heat collection, to step on this black on a hot day (30c+) is a pain especially when the white is actually not even warm, let alone the transference to the interior.
If I was buying another new boat and it was an option there would be no black at all.

Except for the cross groved area leading from the deck to the bow, I try to never stand on the black areas; they are too slick.

Ray

I put non-skid strips on areas of my black stripes almost immediately after buying the boat.... got tired of slipping.

Bob

I used black durabak nonskid compound on mine, and works and looks great.
Ix

I'm with the aussie guy, heat transfer is the worst thing about those stripes. I went with some 100grit DA sander, then nice new white gelcoat. Left only the black on the side between each window set and that will probably go this winter.

I'm having a hard time believing that those black stripes (due to being on the sides and very little on the deck top) make a difference in temperature inside the cabin. I'd be interested in someone who is going to remove the black, that before doing so, keep a record of inside and outside temperatures. After removing the black, maintain the same record keeping. It should be interesting to see if there is significant difference, or a difference at all.

Ray

NiceAft wrote:I'm having a hard time believing that those black stripes (due to being on the sides and very little on the deck top) make a difference in temperature inside the cabin. I'd be interested in someone who is going to remove the black, that before doing so, keep a record of inside and outside temperatures. After removing the black, maintain the same record keeping. It should be interesting to see if there is significant difference, or a difference at all.

Ray

Agree. The black stripes are also very good radiators of heat, and the majority of the heat would be radiated toward the exterior, and much less toward the interior, which also has an untapped air space between it and the liner to block it. The windows themselves would be transmitting a bigger chunk of heat (per unit area) to the interior (though less than if they were clear, contrary to first thought).

-Brian.

When I put my hand on the cabin ceiling (underside of where the black stripe is on the deck) it is noticeably hot. I don't know what the thermal resistance is between this area or how much heat is getting transferred to the cabin. In the coarse of a day, I would imagine "white stripes" would make a noticeable difference in cabin temperature.

NiceAft,

Do you have any pictures of your painted stripes?

I'm sorry, I don't. It's not a problem to take them though. They look black and shiny

Ray