Painting the Rails and Moldings
 

The 3/32" x 3/32" x 24" and the 1/16" x 1/8" x 24" mahogany strips in Bag Number Two (#2) will be used to make all of the rails and moldings. You have several options with these parts. On full-size lobsterboats, the rails and moldings are sometimes painted. If this is your preference, continue with construction and fit these parts to the boat before painting.

If, however, you want these parts to appear in their natural wood color, one coat of clear urethane should be be applied to the 24" strips, before constructing the component parts. This will waterproof the wood and give it a weathered appearance. Midwest supplied more than enough mahogany strips in the kit to build all of the rails and moldings. The ends of these strips can be held under a piece of weighted scrap wood, as shown., while the urethane is applied.

Paint Jig


Painting can be further simplified with the use of a simple jig, which will hold all of the small parts. A jig can be made by pushing t-pins through one of the scrap 3/32" die-cut sheets, as shown. The mast, boom and other small parts can be stuck of the ends of the pins, as shown, while they are being painted. They can then be removed for sanding and re-attached for the next coat of primer or paint.


                 Click on image to enlarge

Larger parts, such as the cockpit deck and hatches, can be supported on scrap wood, as shown. This will allow the edges of these parts to be finished while preventing them from becoming stuck to the workbench or painting area.


                 Click on image to enlarge