American Skier, New Dreamboat! Painting the top Cap

[buckbambino]

Hi Everyone!  I am looking forward to learning a lot from everyone and contributing myself.  8/15/15 I purchased an American Skier in the middle of an overhaul.  I purchased from a friend of mine who took a job out of town, so I have to go this water ready but there is plenty of work to be done. 

First order of business - painting the top cap.  As you can see in the pic, the top cap has been sanded down to the yellow primer.  My plan is to add a primer and a white top coat.  I have used an automotive epoxy primer and a two part polyurethane an aluminum hull and that has thus far held up.  Any recommendations for types of paints and primers?  My second question would be for your thoughts on the exact color of white to paint the top cap.  A previous owner had painted the hull an off-white - Should I try to match or should I go with an extra white gloss?

Lastly, what type/model/year(1981 I think) boat do I have!

Thanks Everyone!

[RonT]

Welcome aboard, we are all here to help keep these boats running and ourselves debt-free! I use Dupont Imron for above the waterline paint. 

[buckbambino]

Thanks Ron, and thanks for all you do for the AS community.  I will look into Dupont Imron.

[buckbambino]

Hi everyone, I am getting ready to paint my top cap and plan on installing it on the hull in a few days, a couple of general questions I have are listed below.  Any other tips are appreciated.  I will be installing a used rub rail at the same time.  My plan is to silicon/3M 5200 the underside of the top cap before placing it on the hull.  Next step will be to stretch out the used rub rail.  Reading some previous posts heating and stretching the rail from the back corners seems to be a good approach (thanks Ron).

Top Cap Installation Rub Rail Questions:

-Orientation of the rub rail -tapered end on the bottom?  This seem to fit up best.  I did not remove the RR so not 100% which way it goes.
-Type of fasteners to use?  Stainless screws?  Any counter sink needed?
-How much silicon to use and where to use it?  Should the back side of base RR have some sealant on it to help secure it?

THANKS for your help!  Happy boating.
Charlie

[backfoot100]

You do not want to use 5200 for this. Take a look at this post.

http://amskierboats.com/forum/index.php/topic,4271.0.html