How to sand and varnish my cabin sole?

[7tiger7]

So, I plan to sand the teak and holy cabin sole in my boat to then revarnish it.

Few questions -

1. Should I have a random orbital sander which is circular or square in shape, or a belt sander?

2. What can I varnish the cabin sole with? Cetol? Something else?

3. Advice?

 

[Delfin]

Orbital sander, definitely not belt.* I like the DeWalt.* 80 followed by 120.* On floors, you need not go finer than that.

Depending on the wood, you may wish to fill the fill prior to varnishing.* I prefer Interlux Inter-Prime 1026 sanding sealer.* Follow with Epifanes rubbed effect varnish, which is the hardest varnish made.* Very forgiving.* 6 coats of the 1026, sanded flat, then 6 to 8 coats of Epifanes.* Sounds like a lot of work?* Actually less in the long run.

 

[FF]

VARNISH USED IN GYMNASIUMS , at bowling alleys and in most bars is very resistant to slipping when wet.

Not in the boat store , but at many hardware stores.

 

[Woodsong]

what the others said!

 

[7tiger7]

I like that idea about the gym/bowling varnish. Any idea what brand they use?

 

[JohnP]

Word of caution-* When refinshing large areas (cabin soles) with multiple coats, your boat will be fumey(smell like paint) for quite a while. The multiple coats off gas pretty slowly.

I like to do these improvements in the Fall so the boat will sit uninhabited for a few months.

I guess it all depends on how sensitive any of the crew is to VOCs.

JohnP

 

[Delfin]

I see now it is a teak and holly substrate, which won't need the filler unless the grain is open.* Since it was finished before, just sanding that flat will do the trick.* The nice thing about the rubbed effect Epifanes is that you can put it on pretty thick, it levels very nicely and dries looking like it is a waxed surface.* Very low VOCs, or at least the ones that are there are not obnoxious at all and disappear in a day or so.* Just make sure you stir the can before application to suspend the matting agents that give it is beautiful look.

 

[Larry M]

Has anyone used a polyurathane instead of varnish?* I have heard the poly is more durable?

 

[Delfin]

Larry, I have, and they have their place.* However, for interior work, the rubbed effect Epifanes is very hard to beat.* When it dries on the lid, you have to chip it off, it's so hard.* I used it on all interior woodwork on Delfin, including the sole.* After 5 years, you can't tell the floor isn't brand new, so I'm sold.* Because it is a matte finish, you can't see little imperfections, and I haven't worked with a varnish that flows and levels itself better.* It can even be sprayed very successfully if you're so inclined.

I'd varnish my wife with it if she'd stand still long enough.

 

[Carey]

Two things.
Use the orbital sander, then finish with a hand sanding with the grain.


Secondly, I have to add my vote for Delphin's new avatar. Awesome!!!

 

[7tiger7]

Delfin - can I bother you for pictures of your cabin sole? Actually - I just want to see pictures of your boat... I'm in love with it...

 

[Delfin]

Philip, I'd be happy to take some, and will post them later this week.* In the meantime, the photos below show the tone of the rubbed effect varnish and hopefully how nice it looks after a few coats.* I think I put around 7 coats on these pieces, which sounds like a lot of work, but because it goes on so easy, it's really no great trauma.* It ends up looking like a wax rubbed finish, but what is nice about it is how hard it is.* As I mentioned, it is also the most forgiving varnish I have used.* Slop it on, flatten it with a foam brush, and let it level itself from there.* The wood here is Jatoba, which requires filling to get the grainless look you see here, and that is what the 1026 I mentioned above is used for.

Thank you Carey.* You have a beautiful boat youself, and I appreciate your approval.

By way, and call me clueless, but I still can't figure out how to imbed small images that can be exploded to full size.* All I seem to be able to do is attach images* that are the size I make them in the post.

 

[Datenight]

For the sole it is hard to beat MoistureCure urethane. It is a commercial product we have used in the flooring business for over 30 years. It is difficult*to get now due to voc regulations. Sherwin Williams used to sell a similar product called Rexthane (sp?). If you want a waterborn commercial grade product, Street Shoe by Basic Coatings will give excellent service

I have used both with great success*in high wear applications such as school stages and classrooms. You will never wear it out on your sole.

Rob
37' Sedan

 

[7tiger7]

Thanks Rob, I'll look into it.

Delfin - your pics look great... that is exactly the way I like my interior wood to look...