Galley table

Jul 9, 2023
6
Hunter 41DS Channel Islands
Hello. I’ve tried to find my issue in other posts, but haven’t had any luck. We recently purchased a 2009 Hunter 49. This is our second Hunter, the first being a 2006 41DS. The galley table top on our 49 looks like someone had tried to clean it with an abrasive chemical. The finish is very dull and looks bad. Has anyone had any luck in refinishing the galley table top? If so, how did you remove the old finish and what did you use for the new finish?
 
Jul 9, 2023
6
Hunter 41DS Channel Islands
Thats one of the issues. I believe it's a laminate on wood, but the finish is deep, like a bar top.
 
Oct 19, 2017
8,107
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
If it is laminate, replacement is the standard way. You can use a heat gun and acetone to peel up the old laminate.

Use a putty knife to get under to edge. Be careful with the acetone, so as not to weaken the glue on the edge banding. Scrape off as much old glue as possible. Heat and acetone will losen the contact cement used to glue the laminate top down.

Cut the new laminate oversize by about 1/2".

Once you have a good even surface, coat evenly with contact cement on both surfaces and let dry until tacky. When you touch it and the surface is still sticky, but doesn't come off on your finger.

Position the laminate with several thin sticks to keep the two surfaces apart until you've lined up the laminate sheet with the table top. Then, remove each stick carefully to not lose your alignment.

A rubber mallet will seal the two surfaces together.

Route the overhanging laminate off and use a file to finish the edge.

-Will
 
Jul 9, 2023
6
Hunter 41DS Channel Islands
I got a reply from Mike Thomas at Hunter Parts, and he gave me the procedure to refinish the top. It is wood veneer so it can be stripped at refinished. However, the refinish procedure he gave me is unbelievable. I am hoping there is another way to get the same results, since this is how it was done in 2009, and finishes have advanced. I'm attaching the instructions he sent to me.
 

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jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,454
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
the finish is deep, like a bar top.
There are no short cuts to what they did. There are alternatives which will provide results but may not be the same. The question is what do you want and expect?
 
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BW1973

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May 11, 2019
11
Hunter 340 OGYB
Hello. I’ve tried to find my issue in other posts, but haven’t had any luck. We recently purchased a 2009 Hunter 49. This is our second Hunter, the first being a 2006 41DS. The galley table top on our 49 looks like someone had tried to clean it with an abrasive chemical. The finish is very dull and looks bad. Has anyone had any luck in refinishing the galley table top? If so, how did you remove the old finish and what did you use for the new finish?
Hi from NJ coast
The galley table top on our 2001 Hunter 340 delaminated and pieces of the laminate broke off near and around the compression post. I plan to replace the top but can't seem to find the same laminate.

Anyone know what the closest match is and the place to buy it.

Do you use a pressure adhesive or just pull the paper backing off to release the pre-fabed glue product?

Measurements would be great to match up against the ones I will take in the next month.
Alladvice and guidance greatly appreciated along with best procedures.

Thank you Bill W. s/v/Starship at Ocean Gate
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,644
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
MEKP is super super nasty stuff not something for the amateur to mess with.

If the repair actually requires using that stuff and you are not trained on its use and have the proper PPE that is a job for a professional.

You may have some success with buffing it out or wet sanding with 600 or 800 and buffing it out.
 
Last edited:
Jul 15, 2020
1
Hunter 23.5 Chessapeake Bay
I went through this process this year. I watched several videos on YouTube about how to laminate a table and the process was not complicated, except the final routing around the table.

You remove the old laminate, and applying heat you cal also remove the old glue residue on the top of the table. You want to leave the table as bare bones as possible. When you apply the contact cement, some of that old glue will react, so having a clean surface will make your life easier. As a final procedure, I set the table on the floor upside down and put weights to keep the pressure on the cement.

I bought the laminate at Home Depot for about $100: Wilsonart 4ft x 8ft Laminate Sheet in Nepal Teak with Premium FineGrain Finish. SKU #1000653366 for about $100.
I used a multitool as an edge router and sanded until flush with the sides, and that was the more tedious and difficult part.

You can get a sample of the product if you contact Wilsonart directly, so you get an idea of how it would look like when finished.