has anyone used this product? if so how is it, if not what recommendations do you have for the cabin floor? are power sanders a nono, i have a '84 hunter 34'. thanks mike
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ultimate sole
I used this product it adds a nice finish, but it does not make your cabin sole slip proof like they advertise. They display a sock gliding across regular varnish, then stopping short on the ultimate sole, at least that's what the person displaying at the boat show did. However, add some water, a 200lb goon who spilled his ice, and slip slide you go. I used seven coats of varnish on this sole with two final coats of ultimate sole, this discoloration is from my failure to bleach the wood when I sanded down to the bare wood. (there was discoloration from when i bought the boat.)
I used this product it adds a nice finish, but it does not make your cabin sole slip proof like they advertise. They display a sock gliding across regular varnish, then stopping short on the ultimate sole, at least that's what the person displaying at the boat show did. However, add some water, a 200lb goon who spilled his ice, and slip slide you go. I used seven coats of varnish on this sole with two final coats of ultimate sole, this discoloration is from my failure to bleach the wood when I sanded down to the bare wood. (there was discoloration from when i bought the boat.)
I like it
I did my sole and the salon table. I believe it is a good product. I stripped, bleached and lightly sanded everything before using their products and it all looks at least as good as a new boat. It has been on for a year and I still get comments about it from people who see it for the first time. If I had it to do again, there is no question that I would use Ultimate Sole.
I did my sole and the salon table. I believe it is a good product. I stripped, bleached and lightly sanded everything before using their products and it all looks at least as good as a new boat. It has been on for a year and I still get comments about it from people who see it for the first time. If I had it to do again, there is no question that I would use Ultimate Sole.
I Like It Too
I just put on three coats this past weekend and so far i really like it. Great shine....I put on over several coats of old varnish ( after light sanding) I do agree with William though...don't think it will offer the non skid traits that the manufacturer advertises. Jerry
I just put on three coats this past weekend and so far i really like it. Great shine....I put on over several coats of old varnish ( after light sanding) I do agree with William though...don't think it will offer the non skid traits that the manufacturer advertises. Jerry
Not yet
Morning Mike: I have a quart at home right now that I ordered earlier and haven't applied yet. I didn't want to order any more than that until I tried it out first. Thanks for asking the question. The answers that you got gives me some insight as to my expectations. If your soles have a previous finish on them, light sanding will probably be necessary, but if going with a sander, I would recommend a random orbit with fine grain paper. There would be too much of a chance of gouging with a belt or circular sander. My soles were bare wood, oil finish, and all that was necessary when I finished them previously, was a good scrubbing with a teak cleaning product and steel wool to knock down the grain. Luck!
Morning Mike: I have a quart at home right now that I ordered earlier and haven't applied yet. I didn't want to order any more than that until I tried it out first. Thanks for asking the question. The answers that you got gives me some insight as to my expectations. If your soles have a previous finish on them, light sanding will probably be necessary, but if going with a sander, I would recommend a random orbit with fine grain paper. There would be too much of a chance of gouging with a belt or circular sander. My soles were bare wood, oil finish, and all that was necessary when I finished them previously, was a good scrubbing with a teak cleaning product and steel wool to knock down the grain. Luck!
A few hints
I have just finished applying it to those parts of the cabin sole I was able to remove and bring home. I hate to varnish and I must say that the gloss finish goes on much easier than regular varnish, probably because it is so thin. I used in on sole sections that I stripped to bare wood and sections which I just lightly sanded. It yields a very impressive finish, though I obviously have not tested it yet on real life. Save some money, though. The Waterless Cleaner which they sell for about $9 a quart is, according the the MSDS, over 99% naptha. You can get naptha for lots less than that. I used plain mineral spirits as my "waterless" cleaner. Also, the sealer coat, which was not available where I purchased the gloss product, is apparently just the gloss finish cut about one to one with solvent. I used mineral spirits (one to one), which is the solvent used in the gloss product, and found no ill effects.
I have just finished applying it to those parts of the cabin sole I was able to remove and bring home. I hate to varnish and I must say that the gloss finish goes on much easier than regular varnish, probably because it is so thin. I used in on sole sections that I stripped to bare wood and sections which I just lightly sanded. It yields a very impressive finish, though I obviously have not tested it yet on real life. Save some money, though. The Waterless Cleaner which they sell for about $9 a quart is, according the the MSDS, over 99% naptha. You can get naptha for lots less than that. I used plain mineral spirits as my "waterless" cleaner. Also, the sealer coat, which was not available where I purchased the gloss product, is apparently just the gloss finish cut about one to one with solvent. I used mineral spirits (one to one), which is the solvent used in the gloss product, and found no ill effects.
Have you guys seen Ron Mills boat?
His H34 has the sole finished with West System gloss epoxy. It was still looking perfect after 10 years. It's seen in the photo archives.
His H34 has the sole finished with West System gloss epoxy. It was still looking perfect after 10 years. It's seen in the photo archives.
Fred F.
Finally got around to finding and checking out Ron's boat. Looks like he did a bang up job with that stuff. I have a couple of coats of marine high gloss on the inside of mine. I thought I'd try this Ultimate Sole to see how it works. I never bought off on that non skid stuff though. It's hard for me to believe that anything that shiney could be skid resistant. I'll post some comments and photos if it turns out well.
Finally got around to finding and checking out Ron's boat. Looks like he did a bang up job with that stuff. I have a couple of coats of marine high gloss on the inside of mine. I thought I'd try this Ultimate Sole to see how it works. I never bought off on that non skid stuff though. It's hard for me to believe that anything that shiney could be skid resistant. I'll post some comments and photos if it turns out well.
Mike
Mike, I replaced my cabin sole last year and used Ultimate Sole. Here's what I found: 1. Very easy to use - Sander sealer first, then six coats of U.S. gives a great look. Buy a decent (not cheap) set of foam brushes. They work better than a brush. The can says to use a "quality" foam brush - no such thing that I know of. It's easy to maintain a wet edge, doesn't leave brush marks, and dries relatively fast. 2. I found it pretty good (though not as good as advertised) at skid resistance. 3. It is quite dent resistant, but NOT scrape and gaudge resistant. 4. It is not UV resistant, so don't use it topsides. Good Luck
Mike, I replaced my cabin sole last year and used Ultimate Sole. Here's what I found: 1. Very easy to use - Sander sealer first, then six coats of U.S. gives a great look. Buy a decent (not cheap) set of foam brushes. They work better than a brush. The can says to use a "quality" foam brush - no such thing that I know of. It's easy to maintain a wet edge, doesn't leave brush marks, and dries relatively fast. 2. I found it pretty good (though not as good as advertised) at skid resistance. 3. It is quite dent resistant, but NOT scrape and gaudge resistant. 4. It is not UV resistant, so don't use it topsides. Good Luck
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