Healing the Sole...

[Jtcf78911]

Newbie back. Trying my hand at a little kindergarten level cabin sole repair this winter, working a small piece of Teak and Holly just to get my feet wet. Questions: 1) In a "wet" state you can clearly see some dark/stained/something areas I've been trying to lighten using sanding (minimal) and Oxalic...a few times actually. In dried state the areas appear to have greatly lessened...but I'm thinking the minute epoxy or varnish hits these areas they are going to pop just like in the "wet" state? Any thoughts on whether my assumption is accurate? More ideas for losing the darkened areas..or just live with it? Can't do a lot of sanding as a pretty thin layer of T&H. 2) there are a couple of small dents and I was thinking of just dripping some epoxy into them, and 3) I'd actually like to move toward a much lighter color...cabin is wicked dark. Any recommendations on a varnish appreciated. I have a couple photos but not smart enough yet to upload. Thanks as always for you combined wisdom. Actually, I did use "Upload a File" but heck if I know whether they went... Tom O'Day 28.

 

[Tricia]

For the dents, you can try putting a damp cloth on them and lightly holding a warm iron over them. The steam may cause the compacted wood fibres to swell, and the dents should get smaller, if not disappear.

 

[Ken Cross]

I suspect you are right about the stain reappearing. It seems as something has soaked into the wood.
Sorry, I wish I had some cure. The steam method mentioned above is the classic dent fix.
If you really want to lightened it up, I'd look for some synthetic material to replace the sole. Many just go with lighter upholstery.

Ken

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

After running a furniture repair and refinish shop for over 25 years, if Oxalic Acid hasn't worked, it ain't gonna happen. You COULD try some stain over the entire area, but i suspect you are stuck with it- Call it a "battle scar" and tell yourself she came by the dark places honestly

 

[SailormanDan]

Call it a "battle scar" and tell yourself she came by the dark places honestly

Kind of like "The Antiques Roadshow" calls it a "patina" and says it's actually worth more money that way.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Thanks gents. I'll live with it for now and use the piece as "practice." Maybe someday I'll replace with some new T&H. Tom O'Day 28.

 

[All U Get]

Looks like you've done well. We went through the same on our boat and I was going to buy a sheet of T&H but couldn't get an equity loan. That stuff is a bit pricey.

All U Get

 

[Apex]

Tom,notto hijak, but I have no t&h on our 28. any pics of the entire interior floor? enjoy the patina. i priced synthetic and that was around 2k

 

[Jtcf78911]

Boat is pretty new to me, like 6 months, so haven't got around to many photos. My recall is the remaining T&H looks pretty good...just needs a good clean and varnish... I certainly should do before and after photos... $2,000 for 200 sq. ft.? Yikes!

 

[Jtcf78911]

Apex just noted $2,000 for synthetic...T&H that much?

 

[Dalliance]

Real teak & holly, with battle scars, patina, whatever you want to call it, beats faux wood any day in my book. Sorry synthetic fans.
Your sole has character.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Well there are cheaper options out there if you supply the elbow grease. It is a little known fact that oak cabinet grade 3/4" ply has a backside with pretty straight and decidedly teak looking grain that with some teak stain is pretty difficult to tell the difference. Aspin is also a lookalike for holly I'm finishing the sole replacement project and will take some pics this time. The only tools I use are a router with 1/4" bit, hand rasp, hand held circular saw, table saw, hand jig saw, jack plane, and paint brushes,

 

[sesmith]

What I did with mine:
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?threads/teak-and-ebony-sole.176692/#post-1264717

 

[Jtcf78911]

Bill...you sound just a bit more handy than yours truly. That said...this boat is pulling me into all types of fun I've never experienced...and I'm and optimist at heart. Tom O'Day 28

 

[Jtcf78911]

Very impressive SE. A bit beyond me at the moment...but maybe the big project for next Fall. Thanks much! Tom O'Day 28.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Well if you can pull the old soles and use them as a template and can run a router it is not at all hard to do. Had some water damage on the bildge cover sole (2x2' piece) that I tried first and it came out so good I was prompted by the admeral to fix some of the other boards.

 

[Jtcf78911]

P.S. I grew up in Illinois...transplant to Boston some 25 years ago. How is the sailing on big lake Michigan? T.

 

[Jtcf78911]

Well if you can pull the old soles and use them as a template and can run a router it is not at all hard to do. Had some water damage on the bildge cover sole (2x2' piece) that I tried first and it came out so good I was prompted by the admeral to fix some of the other boards.

Hope springs eternal...as you can see, I'm also starting with a small piece that lives around the base of my mast.. Good size piece for me to make my mistakes on... Tx. again. T.

 

[Apex]

I have a friend that does this for a living as well (synthetic) and as a rule of thumb DIY is around $30/ft2, installed can range from $50-$65/sq ft. Since a new mainsail is on the shorter list, interior decorating will need to take a back seat.

so....I may go a completely different direction: SHAG carpeting anyone? :O) we have a completely FRG floor, which was covered in carpeting on purchase.