Zodiac Transom Reglue

[office888]

I told many of you I would do a thread on a transom reglue...

Well, here it is. At least the ungluing part, I will update this thread as I have time, this boat is a low priority for me.

Specifically, the procedure is similar for these models:
Zodiac Classic
Zodiac Touring
Zodiac Futura
Bombard Aerotec
Bombard Commando

In this case, we are working on a ~15 year old Zodiac Futura MK1 Fastroller.

This boat had an interesting history...it was new in the box, never used! However, glue does not get better with age on PVC, especially for one that has been stored poorly for a long period of time (this boat sat at ambient temperatures... exposure to >37C on some days!).

The adhesive is very oxidized and weak, so we will be regluing all glued bonds.

This will be a three step process:
1.) Transom
2.) Floor
3.) Accessories

We will start with the transom, just as the factory did.

Using a heat gun, a metal spatula, and my fingertips, we will lightly unpeel everything.

image1 by anirich888, on Flickr

image2 by anirich888, on Flickr

As I'm ungluing, I like to make reference pen marks to show where the pieces were originally located. If the position of the transom is not exact (within 5-10mm), the "grip" of the floor will be affected, which will cause the boat to perform poorly.

image3 by anirich888, on Flickr

image5 by anirich888, on Flickr

image6 by anirich888, on Flickr

Tap the drains out with a heat gun + hammer, flip the boat over, and work on the bottom:

image7 by anirich888, on Flickr

image8 by anirich888, on Flickr

image9 by anirich888, on Flickr

~20 min later, and we're done with disassembly.

image10 by anirich888, on Flickr

Next steps shall be:
Removing old glue
Pre-cleaning (degreasing to remove plasticizing oils from the surface of the PVC)
Cutting fresh material for the L-strips
Wood priming
Initial assembly

[davkt]

Looking forward to seeing the rest of this process!

[bomberman]

I have this to do on a Bombard aerotec in the next couple of months. What method do you use for cleaning the old glue off?

[office888]

Originally Posted by bomberman

I have this to do on a Bombard aerotec in the next couple of months. What method do you use for cleaning the old glue off?

I use methylene chloride, but it is restricted in Europe.

I'll discuss 2 or 3 techniques as I go through this. This isn't a paying customers project, so I must do it in my free time.

[bomberman]

Hi Office888, cheers for reply...no problem looking forward to it.

[simonafloat]

This is a great thread, it's great that you are sharing your knowledge. Much appreciated.

Simon

[Fenlander]

Yep office888 perhaps we have been a bit slow to say the step by step guide is of great interest and very much appreciated. Look forward to the next part.

[simzpilot]

Hi @ office888 - Any update or more photos on your project?

[Max...]

I missed this too - very interesting topic.

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Max...

I missed this too - very interesting topic.

+1 me too very interesting cheers

[office888]

I found a little free time yesterday evening to work on this.

We're going to sand off the old glue on the wood with 80 grit, and scrape the old glue off the tube with methylene chloride (Crown Tuff-Strip paint & adhesive remover).

001 by anirich888, on Flickr

002 by anirich888, on Flickr

You can see how badly that old glue gums up the sandpaper.

004 by anirich888, on Flickr

Before, you can see the slightly yellow, old adhesive

005 by anirich888, on Flickr

After application of methylene chloride, let this goo sit on there for about 15-20 min in a fairly thick layer

006 by anirich888, on Flickr

Scrape with light pressure! As you can see, 98% of the adhesive is removed in one pass. The 2% residue will come off with MEK during adhesive prep stages.

007 by anirich888, on Flickr

Gross, old adhesive.

008 by anirich888, on Flickr

98% clean surface for gluing. I wiped it with a little soap & water to remove the methylene chloride residue. It's soluable in water, so it is easy to remove / neutralize.

Coming up next:
Cutting fresh material (I don't want to clean and re-use the old stretched out PVC bits)
Priming the wood
Pre-gluing attachment wedges + transom L-strip