Best way to tart up an old hard dodger, and would you remove and reseal it?

[steve yates]

Looking for suggestions as to how to improve the looks of this, thinking maybe bilge paint on the insides? or even a gelcoat type paint?
I notice there is rape on some of the front edges, and am wondering what this might be? Would it have been used originally or would it be a repair?

Lastly, looking at it from inside, I can see sealant of some kind along the bottom and some of it looks missing or coming away. At first glance I would think, take it off and rebed it somehow, BUT, a) It has actually never ever leaked, even in driving rain or waves coming over the sides. And b) it seems a bit thin, I would be worried about cracking it or damaging it trying to manhandle it around the top of a boat. There are already some areas at the foot of it with some starring style cracks.

Any and all advice welcome, my gut instinct is to leave it in place but make as good looking as I can, and add some practicalities. Like the phone holder idea suggested by Quandry on the windows thread, and a tv style mount from the crossbrace with an ipad holder to keep it under shade and dry from rain.

My wife thinks it spoils her lines and wants it gone, but having had the benefit of it thats a redline for me. I love it, it isnt pretty but its been invaluable in shit and rough weather.
So making it nice is my compromise

Thanks

 

[Quandary]

I must have another look at the photos but I had the impression it was a custom made thing though not by the previous owner. Flow coat would make it nice and smooth and glossy unless that was what was on it before when the new stuff will not adhere until you get all the wax off the surface. If you can lift it, get some rubber channel for it to rest on, replace the acrylic and tidy the fixings you might transform J's attitude to it, provided you maintain the standards I set for you.
Paint would probably be fine on the inside if you do not want to futer about with flocoat but keep it white to reflect light below.
If you do concede its demise you will have to replace it with an expensive acrylic/canvas sprayhood which will not last half as long.

Had a look at the feb 2017 pictures I took when you were thinking of buying her, it looks strong and well made and is probably best left in situ if possible, painted /modified inside, acrylic windows replaced, maybe a bit of padding for your skull. You could go round the inside edges with white sealant as you do a bath but mainly for tidiness for as you say it is watertight.
I think it looks fine as part of the boat and will be worth the effort particularly if you intend to extend your travels.

 

[steve yates]

If you do concede its demise you will have to replace it with an expensive acrylic/canvas sprayhood which will not last half as long.

I think it looks fine as part of the boat and will be worth the effort particularly if you intend to extend your travels.

Both phrases almost exactly what I said
It will be staying, I know it's use. I'm happy to make it better looking. Might look at Danboline or something rather than flocoat?

 

[Quandary]

Any decent matt white paint should do, it is a protected surface.
I think if you take the windows out with it in place it ahould be easy to access all the corners to do repairs or mods, keep the windows for templates and mark which is the outside before you remove them, (acrylic sheet has an inside and an outside defined by different protective film) Do not assume that the panels are identical, they are more likely to differ slightly. Go slowly while cutting and drilling, you may find it quite a satisfying and rewarding job to do. Keep the protection in place while cutting drilling, handling etc (someone already said that). If you are using Scapa tape you will need plenty of it but it goes round tight radii well without having to be nicked on the inside of the turns.
Of course you will be posting photos when all is complete.

 

[KompetentKrew]

No pics showing for me?