Bulkhead paint and prep

[Scurvy]

Thinking about purchasing a '75 O'day 25'. I am not a huge fan of the wood veneer that they used back in the 70's and will want to paint over the existing finish. What would be the best type of paint for the job, and how best to prepare the surface before painting? Will it need to be sanded and primed, or just cleaned with a TSP spray and painted directly?

Thanks folks and good luck with Sandy!
Prayers to all
Chris

 

[finding41]

Sand lightly (very fine steel wool) Vacuum up all the waste, wash with TSP, rinse 2x, Prime , Paint to manufactures instructions.
We have used Melamie paint with pretty good results on kitchen and bathroom counter tops.
Note: Remember you are working in a confined space. You want good ventilation.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Scurvy, not knowing what has ever been put on it in the past, I would recommend the sanding and priming route. It's probably just as easy as T.S.P., and you can be more certain of adhesion.

I seem to get a lot of poo-pooing about this, but after a lot of time hanging out with these old timer paint guru's, I've hit a combination that works marvelously well. I can get you the specifics if you want, but the primer is from Zinsser, Stain Blocker, oil base that dries very fast. And the paint is Valspar white floor paint. yes, Home Depot sells it, at about 22 bucks a gallon. It flows well, looks good, and you can not scratch it with a nail. I started using it in bilges, and after the results have been more than acceptable, started using it on interiors. Any paint that is designed to be walked on, has got to be tough. And it is.

 

[Scurvy]

It flows well, looks good, and you can not scratch it with a nail. I started using it in bilges, and after the results have been more than acceptable, started using it on interiors. Any paint that is designed to be walked on, has got to be tough. And it is.

I will check it out. Valspar is Lowe's correct? I think Behr is Home Depot, but I like that price vs the $50 for marine grade enamel.

Just want to brighten the space down there a bit

thanks folks!
Chris

 

[Scurvy]

What do you think about this product for the bulkheads?

http://www.iboats.com/EZ-CABIN-COAT...2305827--session_id.605869749--view_id.937476

 

[Merlin Clark]

I used a marine one part poly on the inside of my forward hatch and slider and this stuff is hell for collecting mildew. Where the bare fiberglass may get just a little this paint seems to draw it like a magnet.
On a previous boat (41 Gulfstar) I had tons of faded woodgrain formica and we settled on coating it with Minwax stain urethane and I thought it looks really good. Paint it on with the "grain" in the formica and make sure the brush is wet enough to cover in one stroke. Small runs are better left than dabbed at as this makes it look bad. I did the lower parts of the "furniture" and the anchor locker bulkhead this way and painted the upper parts with a latex based enamel.

 

[Steve Dion]

Have you considered a formica type product? Easy to clean and you will not need to worry about fading/cracking in the future. This brightens the interior and makes it look modern too.

 

[Scurvy]

I used a marine one part poly on the inside of my forward hatch and slider and this stuff is hell for collecting mildew. Where the bare fiberglass may get just a little this paint seems to draw it like a magnet.
On a previous boat (41 Gulfstar) I had tons of faded woodgrain formica and we settled on coating it with Minwax stain urethane and I thought it looks really good. Paint it on with the "grain" in the formica and make sure the brush is wet enough to cover in one stroke. Small runs are better left than dabbed at as this makes it look bad. I did the lower parts of the "furniture" and the anchor locker bulkhead this way and painted the upper parts with a latex based enamel.

Looks great! How exactly does the formica take the stain? It would seem to me that it would just sit on top of the surface as formica tends to be non-porous...no? Did you put a poly on it afterward to seal it?

 

[Merlin Clark]

Hey Scurvy,
The Minwax product is "stain polyurethane", I'd left off the "poly" in my previous post. http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/onestep-stain-finishes/minwax-polyshades
I scrubbed the heck out of the formica with a scotchbright pad and 409, then sanded it with 100 grit. Cleaned it again after that then wiped down with alcohol and paper towells followed by a tack cloth.
It seemed to be holding up fine when I sold the boat, about a year after I applied it.
I was going to go with a veneer but since I was intending to sell I decided not to $$.
I'm considering using bamboo flooring on the bulkhead on my current boat. It's not expensive and I think it would look great.

 

[Scurvy]

I'm considering using bamboo flooring on the bulkhead on my current boat. It's not expensive and I think it would look great.

The minwax looks great! Love what you did with the boat. I may consider using a formica and just cover up what is there and see how that looks. Probably take a season to get the boat ready for the water and then put her in in the following spring.

I installed a bamboo flooring in my house and found that the slightest bit of moisture began to mold and turn black. The living room was ok, but the downstairs had to be torn up in places and replaced. Maybe ask around and see if others have used the bamboo and how well it has held up in a marine situation. It is beautiful wood, is inexpensive and easy to install...but doesn't seem to like moisture in the least.

Chris

 

[Chris Patterson]

I'm sorry, it is Lowes, brain fart. Again. The Pettit is good stuff.
I just got sold on the floor paint because it is tough. And after using it as much as I have, it would take some very real convincing for me to do otherwise..

And oh yeah Merlin. I've used that urethane as well, and still do. Got the complete interior of my current hill boat done with it. Really like the stuff. And the price.

 

[Scurvy]

I just got sold on the floor paint because it is tough. And after using it as much as I have, it would take some very real convincing for me to do otherwise..

I may go with this then. Seems like a good inexpensive fix and a good way to brighten things up below deck. Thanks for the tip Chris!

Chris

 

[Merlin Clark]

Well, that kills the bamboo idea! Thanks for the heads up and the compliment on my old boat Scurvy.
I'm just starting the interior on my Morgan, need to paint the overhead liner after I fill a bunch of holes and dings and like the idea of the porch paint. Thanks Chris.

 

[Scurvy]

Well, that kills the bamboo idea! Thanks for the heads up and the compliment on my old boat Scurvy.
I'm just starting the interior on my Morgan, need to paint the overhead liner after I fill a bunch of holes and dings and like the idea of the porch paint. Thanks Chris.

Oh crap....sorry.I would definitely do a search and see if anyone else has used bamboo on their boats. Love those Morgans too by the way!!! Wonderful boats. Where did you find her?

 

[Merlin Clark]

No, I'd rather not be sorry for installing bamboo but I'll check it out. Did you use solid or laminate? Think it would make any difference?
I found my Morgan just down the Banana River in Indian Harbor Beach. The boat was rough but solid and had nearly new sails and an OB for 1k. The owner was transferring to Wisconsin (IIRC) for his job.
It's great sailing boat but the interior amenities are lacking so I'm doing a few mods to try and make it better for cruising our area.
Just built and installed a seatback cabinet for the port quarter berth. This gives me a place to lean back and 12 cu ft of storage. And a shelf on top for clutter.

 

[Scurvy]

No, I'd rather not be sorry for installing bamboo but I'll check it out. Did you use solid or laminate? Think it would make any difference?

Very nice work!!

Oh, the floor was solid, tongue and groove. gorgeous floor...light and stood up to three kids. Pre-finished as well. not sure which would be better. good question though.

 

[Chris Patterson]

That is a groovy looking boat man. I like the white. My Ericson had all that dark mahagony inside, that reminded me of a coffin, or a New Orleans cat house or something. Depressing. I know a lot of people like all that dark wood, and that is great. Just not me. So, I took down and replaced all those raceway panels, and did the white. And I did the entire interior of my Catalina with it, except the bulkheads. It looked like a new boat inside. With a foam roller, I swear, it looks sprayed it flows so well. Now, it dries a little slow, so don't get alarmed. The guru's said to add a little Japan Dry to it, and it'll speed up the process, but I've always been under the opinion that the slower it dries, the harder it gets. I guess. But I do know that after a year in the floors, bilges, headliner, you name it, there is virtually no sign of it wearing. And it ain't like I'm gentle with it either.

 

[Scurvy]

That is a groovy looking boat man. I like the white. My Ericson had all that dark mahagony inside, that reminded me of a coffin, or a New Orleans cat house or something. Depressing. I know a lot of people like all that dark wood, and that is great. Just not me. So, I took down and replaced all those raceway panels, and did the white. And I did the entire interior of my Catalina with it, except the bulkheads. It looked like a new boat inside. With a foam roller, I swear, it looks sprayed it flows so well. Now, it dries a little slow, so don't get alarmed. The guru's said to add a little Japan Dry to it, and it'll speed up the process, but I've always been under the opinion that the slower it dries, the harder it gets. I guess. But I do know that after a year in the floors, bilges, headliner, you name it, there is virtually no sign of it wearing. And it ain't like I'm gentle with it either.

That looks sweet Chris! I think I am sold!!

 

[Joe]

I had a lot of ugly wood formica laminate.. the countertop and the dinnette table. Rather than replace with teak or granite (heh, heh) I chose to paint over it with a high quality, hard enamel. My boat neighbor, a professional finish painter, directed me to an excellent primer made by Enduro that worked really, really well. It's a water based product that you can find in high end professional paint supply houses. Three or four coats over the dark laminate was needed before the oil based enamel top coat goes on... you could use any high quality enamel...then cover with a polyurethane clear coat for a hard shell finish.

The secret is using a primer that is designed for application over laminate finishes.. it leaves the proper texture for the paint to adhere.

After the table, I painted the counter top... then was inspired to build the cherrywood bins you see in the picture. Totally changed the atmosphere in the cabin... after these pics I refinished the butcher block stove top and ice box lid for an even cleaner look.

 

[Scurvy]

a professional finish painter, directed me to an excellent primer made by Enduro that worked really, really well. It's a water based product that you can find in high end professional paint supply houses. Three or four coats over the dark laminate was needed before the oil based enamel top coat goes on...

Looks fantastic Joe. Now..where to find this paint in NH