Cabin sole shine?

[Fred Ficarra]

I'm in the process of adding a coat or two of Polyurethane gloss to the interior floor. This is the first 'refinish'. A couple of years ago in Popular Woodworking Magazine I read of a technique that rendered a mirror finish with none of those little annoying flaws and bumps in the finish. The method involved block sanding the final gloss coat and buffing with something like rubbing compound as is done to automotive finishes (at least in the old days) The method was featured in a sidebar so it's not easy to find in my old issues. I haven't had any luck. Even went to their web site and others.  Anybody know this method and willing to share this most valuable secret? Just seconds ago the new Cruising World arrived in the mail. On the cover is trumpeted a story inside about how to redo your cabin sole. Alas, nothing on finishes, just replacing wood.

 

[Bing]

Two Pack

My husband used a two pack poly finish on our Hunter 410. Came up a treat and is still shiny to this day.

 

[Bing]

Whoops

...and that was four years ago.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Well, two part finishes might be epoxy.

We just had it put on the floors of our home. (Swedish finish) I talked to the company owner. He said epoxy will lift an curdle the previous finish on the boat unless it's completely removed. That's not practical. The veneer is too thin for that kind of sanding. And our son borrowed back the chemical gas mask needed to apply the stuff. Our home was unlivable for 3 days and we should have stayed out for a week. Besides, our house is solid hardwood so it's not a problem. And the little nubs would still popup with any finish.  We have a full color book about marine gloss varnish finishes. All it says is to vacuum a lot.

 

[Larry Wilson]

Try Ultimate Sole

Take a look at "Ultimate Sole" . I used it on my 30 year old Columbia. Works great. Non slippery. Poly tends to be very slippery when wet. WWW.Ultimatesone.com.Larry Wilson

 

[Fred Ficarra]

In their instructions they refer to the 'nubs'.

This is what I'm trying to deal with. This is from Ultimate Soles' web site instructions;"Hatches and ports should be just cracked open. Forced-air heat or air-conditioning should be turned off as the movement of air will blow particulate material into the finish." I have never in my life avoided the 'particulate material' nubs. When I've painted cars it's no big deal. Just sand and rub-out. I was talking to my nephew last night about the method. Actually it was via email. Who actually talks anymore? Anyway, he's just a youngster but was familiar with that method as applied to wood. He said he learned it from a neighbor. Too bad they are on the other side of the country.

 

[Big Windy]

Ultimate Sole

The instructions re the 'nubs' is just routine in order to give you the best finish possible. All refinishing products could put the same blurb in their instructions if they wanted to...or Ult Sole could leave it out. You can always call them on the phone. I called once and ended up talking to the chemist who came up with the original formula. It is not slippery and looks great.

 

[adr]

Soul Glow

Try Soul Glow hair product. Actually don't, its probably slippery.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

For me, slippery is good. Down below anyway.

Because of my bad leg I tend to drag my right foot. It the surface isn't slippery and I'm not careful, my toe catches and I can stumble. And I've never had a problem with too little traction below. It doesn't get wet down there very often and the boat isn't that big. A handhold is always near. I just want the nubs to go away.

 

[Doghouse]

rottenstone vs automotive 4000

the item you are looking for is rottenstone. It is used damp and like rubbing compound a little will cut fast and go a long way. My personal opinion is that it will be too slick of a surface. I would brush, 5-9 coats then use automotive 4000 grit with mineral oil. You will get a high sheen semi-gloss that will be a little less slick. See link for results from this method.

 

[letterman]

Are yews nuts?

When I first got my 37'Irwin sailboat I cleaned and painted every nook and cranny. Next came washing and waxing the interior with past wax. On the first sail with the gang, I had peple ripping handholds off, sliding into the engine doghouse, bouncing off everything, destroying everything...becuase there was no grip on the surfaces. They all laughed (luckily nobody was hurt or kellied) and said "Nobody ever waxes the inside of a sailboat, EVER." So now I just wash it down and leave it at that. If I want a floor to shine I do it at home. My advise, poor as it may be, would be to wash and wax your engine, the hull, the anchor, the winches, and any tracks, but never, ever wax or put a high gloss finish on any walking surface. As for the dragging foot, Put a plastic bag on it if you must, to reduce friction. Wax your shoe bottoms if you must. But not the boat floor.