Damaged Tabletop Hunter 430

[Loren Hall]

Have a 1997 Hunter 430 which has a beautiful table in the saloon. It had been stowed for a long time . I recently took it out and much to my dismay, the surface was badly damaged by water. I'm trying to take off the surface with varnish stipper which is not going well. Also. I'm not sure if it is a vaneer surface or solid wood. I can't get it back to the states, so I'm trying to refinish it myself. I would appreciate any information I can get.

 

[Steve Dion]

Can't help on the refinishing but....

if there is a veneer finish you may need to consider a plastic laminate. Once you find out what you are working with you will have a couple of options. Sand it down, if it is solid wood you should be able to apply sanding sealer and then 4-6 coats of varnish and it will probably look as good as new. If it is veneer, then you can either do it yourself or take it to a shop that make counter tops. I would think that they can apply a laminate for under $50 at a shop.

 

[Dick McKee]

Our 95 430 has a solid table..

When I refinished it last spring I did just what Steve suggested, except I used good old fashion marine spar varnish. 0000 steel wool between coats, and 4 coats later it looks like a mirror..Dick McKeeS/V Constellation

 

[Jim Vincent]

40.5 SalonTable Top

Hey Loren, ...I envy you with your boatin Treasure Cay, we bareboated the Abacos,...what a great place!!about your table, (i do woodwork as a hobby)and i would bet your table is wood vaneer with solid wood trim around the edges and a plywood core. don't hold me to it but i have a 40.5 Legend and i did some modification to mime and that was the case. all i'm trying to say is before you start sanding, make sure that it's not wood vaneer, otherwise you might go through it and then you really have a problem. another suggestion ? ... buy half a sheet of teak vaneer (+/- $50 bucks at a wood specialty shop or a "real" lumber yard) an laminate over your table, it will add about a 1/16" to the thickness but you will basically have a new table. good luck, take care, Jim, Toucan

 

[Mike Pilolla]

Safely Stripping The Finish

I've used a product from 3M to strip varnish, lacquer, polyurethane and Cetol and it has worked very well without damaging the wood or losening the veneer. The product is called "Safe Strip" or "Safest Strip", something like that and it is non-toxic. You can use it in enclosed areas and don't even need to wear gloves. It cleans up with water so you don't need solvents. Be sure you follow the directions because if you "skimp" on applying the product it doesn't work as well. Let me know how you make out. Good Luck.Mike Pilolla

 

[Stephen DePaola]

How long have you had your 430?

We just bought ours.