Cavita Line

[Badger]

On a classic yacht with a blue boot top, tred antifoling and a white hull and teak varnished toe rail, it's gold isn't it ?

 

[sarabande]

I'm indebted to you for that new word to my sailing vocabulary .


I was in Lallows shed in the early 70s helping with the fitting out of an Admirals Cupper, when Mr Heath turned up to carry out a sneak inspection of the opposition's boat.

One of the yard's workers was sizing the cove line (cavita line ?) preparatory to applying real gold leaf. Mr Heath looked at the box, read the label, and said to the worker, "Is that really gold that Sir X is having put on ?"

From a considerable height above the PM, came the reply, "Yes, Sir, he calls it his floating assets." It took a few moments for the reply to sink in, but the trade-mark shaking of the shoulders and silent laughter went on for a full minute, and apparently formed part of his dinner conversation at the Castle that night.

 

[tillergirl]

I am afraid I use Valspar 'Old Gold' Laquer from B & Q.

 

[Vitalba]

I used two coats of Japlac Metallic Finish (Gold) on the intaglio lettering of Vitalba`s Name Board`s. This was on a varnished base with a couple or three more on top for protection.
The overcoating took the gloss of the gold (which looked OK till then) and darkened it more than I expected.
Gold leaf is expensive and I found very difficult to work with.
Gold Cove Tape sticks on well but also looses it gloss after a while, never the less its the route I shall take. VITALBA

 

[oldfrank]

Gold leaf is fine on a plastic or even varnished hull. If you're going to paint over every year then you won't want to waste your money. I use gold paint - I think it was Humbrol that went green in salt water. Don't much care for plastic tape. Your call. OF

 

[Vitalba]

Tillergirl - do you over coat Valspar Old Gold for protection and does it last ?
Oldfrank - if Humbrol goes green what do you use and do you over coat it for protection and does it last ?
I`m not too keen on plastic tape either but I think it`s the outer skin that deteriorates as the metallic inner in mine was still bright after, I suspect, quite a few years. Tape also has the advantage of a definite edge up to which you can paint when doing the topsides. Perhaps the answer is to paint a new Cove line each year which is OK if you are a signwriter or have a very steady hand - masking tape leaves a thick rough edge. Thoughts? VITALBA.

 

[xtiffer]

Tillergirl - do you over coat Valspar Old Gold for protection and does it last ?
Oldfrank - if Humbrol goes green what do you use and do you over coat it for protection and does it last ?
I`m not too keen on plastic tape either but I think it`s the outer skin that deteriorates as the metallic inner in mine was still bright after, I suspect, quite a few years. Tape also has the advantage of a definite edge up to which you can paint when doing the topsides. Perhaps the answer is to paint a new Cove line each year which is OK if you are a signwriter or have a very steady hand - masking tape leaves a thick rough edge. Thoughts? VITALBA.

3M Fine Line tape does not give a thick edge.
Maybe overcoat your gold paint with a PU clearcoat.
Myself, I would use 3M Gold Tape. Lots of different sizes to choose from.
Cheers,
Chris

 

[oldfrank]

I repaint the hull every year so I don't really need to overcoat. Only get in salt water by around September and I can put up with the last couple of months. A light abrasive such as Brasso gets it back if it bothers you. Masking tape tends to disappear fairly quickly during the early summer. OF

 

[burgundyben]

I thought it was 'Coveta'?

(Call me a pedant).