Ray Cotnoir's Page

"Hi Joseph, Congratulations on your build.  You must have a grin from ear to ear.  Let us know how the water test goes.  Don't forget to tell everybody............."Wood Is Good"."

"Question for everyone... Do you guys recommend Durabak for the inside and outside of the boat?  Or is it just for the inside? I see that they make non-slip and smooth paints. I was thinking of using Interlux "topside paint" for…"

"Thanks to all regarding concerns of VOC's.  I definately always wear a respirator when working with powerful solvents.  That stuff will give you "Dain Bramage".  Today the Durabak  goes on.   Did anybody…"

"I would recommend you use a respirator with a canister for VOC vapors.  If you can work outside you can get away with one job but,  in a garage even with the door open Zylene is going to be all around you and it's not healthy stuff."

"The spec sheet says that one gallon is sufficient to do the recommended two coats on 60 square ft. with a resulting 25 to 35 mil thickness.  My boat is a 14' Tatman (Overall length actually 12' 8" stem to stern) with a maximum…"

"Hi Jonathan,   Just wondering if 1 gallon was sufficient.  I have a 17.5' Tatman boat and am using the non textured version of Durabak 18.  Hope your finished turned out great.   Thanks in advance,   Ray"

"Thank you for the replies.  I have Zylene, gloves and so on.  Just didn't get the roller from Durabak as it was not the textured version.  Looking forward to finishing up and getting the boat in the water. Ray"

"I don't think you need to worry about it.  A quick scuff with 80, blow off the dust and tack with a damp cloth. I have had to remove that Durabak stuff and can tell you it's very difficult.  It sticks like crazy.  I bet you…"

"The timing of your question is remarkable.  I bought a gallon of Durabak 18 last year and am just applying it today.  I thought the instructions said to rough up epoxied surfaces with 40 grit.  I bought the specialized rollers from…"

"oh and i used a brush and a roller...goes on just like paint. i think finish would be nicer with roller."

"i did 80 grit and it worked just fine. You will need to clean the surface aftwards with Zyline so the materials can bond. wear gloves and make sure any surface that you want everlasting durabak on is wiped down with zyline. once durabak goes on…"

"Ray, I wish I had the skills and wherewithal to build such a boat. The pictures are of Jim Ledger's boat and were shown initially to illustrate an example of 5200 application techniques. It is possible to apply 5200 without getting it…"

"Rick it looks like you have quite a project going there.  That looks like an ambitious build. Great to hear you are back out in the shop.  Good luck on your 1000 mile journey.  When I built my boat 23 years ago, I had them ship…"

"I will try this reply again. This is the third time I have retyped my unfinished reply. Bottom line is I am back out in the boat shed/garage/woodshop doing woodwork and boat building. I will drive this weekend about 1,000 miles to get a driftboat…"

"Ray, I have been doing better now. I have moved a bunch of EBay items to the shed, cleaned up the shop, have the new firplace mantle about"

"Hi Rick,   How have you been?  Winter is finally letting go over this a way. Thanks for getting back to me.  I am not sure what I am looking at in the photo you posted.   I had to put the project on hold as the electric heat was…"