Spent a couple hours this afternoon taping protective sheeting and electrical tape all around, then started alcohol wiping and sanding.
The think I’m now really worried about it is how to sand, clean, and fill the part of the track and mast closest to the top, above which it’s still adhering to the mast.
Ted Van Dusen suggested going down from 40 grit to 120 grit sandpaper at the top, because the thinner sandpaper will get in the tighter crack. But, it doesn’t get all the way in. And, that doesn’t solve the question of how a get an alcohol wipe and a tack cloth in there to clean up. Nor is it clear how I get a fiberglass layer and enough epoxy in there. Ted suggested wetting a putty knife with epoxy and using that, but I’m concerned it’ll push the separation up further.
My current thinking is to get some very thin t-shirt and other rags for the second round tomorrow. Later, when I get to the glass and epoxy, I’m figuring I’ll just get the glass as high up as I can, try to get as much epoxy up as close as I can, and then place the first tightening strap a few inches below that point in the hopes the pressure will push epoxy up.
Love to have better advice if that’s not the right plan.
Below is a picture of the mast and other stuff covered with protective plastic. Haven’t done the deck yet, probably won’t until I’m actually doing the epoxying work, because it feels like a slipping hazard.
– Bob
