I have just got a Portafold

[hads]

I have just bought one that has been used as a potting shed for 10 years so it needs some work. I am not sure how to put a pic on but will try and sort some out.

[Reggie]

Hi Neil and welcome hope you are getting on with it if you need a lift give me a buz mate

Check this out mate viewtopic.php?f=7&t=272

[bigbird]

Welcome and good luck with the 'potting shed', mine was part of a hedge, so there are definite possibilites, providing you don't mind a bit of elbow grease!!

[hads]

Cheers Reggie, i might take you up on that, i have been cleaning again this eve. Not sure how to post a pic but will try. it has been painted at some point and it's all flaking off and will need painting again but what paint do you use?

[Admin]

It has been painted at some point and it's all flaking off and will need painting again but what paint do you use?

Neil,

If the paint that's on there is flaking off I'd let it. Give it some encouragement with a scraper and maybe the use of some GRP boat paint stripper and take it back to its natural gellcoat. You can polish it like a car, it's easy to maintain (no re-painting or touch ups) and it shines beautifully when you've buffed it up. Mine was painted in a bright Daytona yellow and a few days stripping has got it back to it's original cream coloured gellcoat. Much better!

[hads]

thanks matt
i will give that boat grp stuff a go, what about the inside as it seams to be flaking and when i have got the loose stuff off its very dry and dusty.
i will also need to replace most if not all the hinges so i have plenty to do.

[Admin]

The trials and tribulations of painting have been discussed a fair bit already here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=19

that might help you along a bit. The inside is a difficult one. It's always tricking to clean a rough fibreglass finish (just ask Misty Meg) but I used scourer pads from the pound shop. The ones that come in red, green and yellow. There's no difference in their grade but they're cheap and they do take off most 'stuff' and key it very slightly ready for some bathroom paint.

As for the hinges, check out the Parts and Spares page:

http://www.portafold.co.uk/parts_and_spares.html

and they've been covered in depth here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=199

[Misty Meg]

Yes - I have blisters on blisters! I took off loads of boarding inside mine only to find a thin sheet of what looks like PVA glue or evostick (apparently). Tried jif, fairy, nail varnish remover, terps, and a few other things to no avail (Dilunett good if removing gloss paint, but no good if water based - at least that appears to be the case). Going to go to a local paint shop and ask for some advice (as the latest suggestion is paint thinners)...

I have spent hours like a elf sat on a stool inside rubbing it off with my fingers - which works but is taking hours and feels like I am getting no-where

Decided we will be using it regardless...