posted 02-18-2014 10:04 AM ET (US)        

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I took the seat cushion off my Montauk this weekend to take in to have reupholstered. While its off, I'd like to do something to improve the appearance of the z-legs which have weathered to a chalky gray.

I found an old thread where Tom was recommending a product called Penetrol. Is this still the best option and if so, anyone know of a good source?

Ll.

posted 02-18-2014 10:18 AM ET (US)            

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You can buy Flood Penetrol just about anywhere that sells paint, including your local hardware store, home improvement store, paint store or chandlery. It is very common.

If your Z-legs are super oxidized, you may have to wet sand with the Penetrol to loose all the fading.

posted 02-18-2014 10:56 AM ET (US)            

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Thanks Tom,

Heading to Lowes at lunch. Will look there.

Ll.

posted 02-18-2014 11:01 AM ET (US)            

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FYI for others considering the same project. Lowes does not have it but Home Depot does. 9.47 for a quart.

Ll.

posted 02-18-2014 11:37 AM ET (US)            

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The process I used in the past was to sand the legs first with 60 - 100 grit depending of how chalky they are. I sanded all the "Fuzz" off down to a good surface. I then apply a couple coatings of a urethane by wiping it on with a cloth. This acts as a sealer encapsulating the fiberglass infused plastic. After 5 or 6 coatings you sometimes end up with a good look. I did the set on my Newport this way and they still look.

If they still look blotchy in some areas, give the final coating of urethane 24 hours to dry and then sand it with 220. The final step is painting with Krylon Fusion paint (formulated for adhesion to plastic). I used Satin Espresso which was a near perfect match to the OEM color and sheen. The standard Espresso is a little glossier if you wanted that. The last set I did looked great after 4 years. The set below was so chalky when I started they looked closer to Desert Tan than dark brown.

[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z1.jpg[/ur]
[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z2.jpg[/ur]
[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z3.jpg[/ur]
[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z4.jpg[/ur]
[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z5.jpg[/ur]
[ur]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z6.jpg[/ur]
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z7.jpg

posted 02-18-2014 11:39 AM ET (US)            

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z5. jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/jeff_rohlfing/Misc%20Whaler/z6. jpg

urgh....somedays..

posted 02-18-2014 11:46 AM ET (US)            

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Jeff,

I appreciate you taking the time to post the pics. Unfortunately I'm blocked from looking at them here at work but I'll check them out when I get home tonight. Sounds like a potential spring project given the seat will be gone for a month or so...