Nav table project

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Jan 25, 2007
366
Cal Cal 33-2 cape cod
I removed the formica off the salon table (scratched/old), put on new formica (wood grain) came out nice. Then I had to mess with the nav table, so here it is, I didn't research the varnish over old chart look (couldn't find anyone who did this) so I have this interesting 17th century chart, but is this smart? My rooter skills stink, so the border isn't flush. Is this acceptable? I haven't install this yet, I'm contemplating, advice? Ideas? Thank you.
 

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Sep 25, 2008
2,288
C30 Event Horizon Port Aransas
Is the herringbone pattern around the outside part of the Nav Top? that looks pretty cool.
Is the map glued to the formica?
 

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Are you being modest ot what???

That is way cool. Looks great in the photo. The flaws you see probably aren't nearly as visible to another. RD
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
From my view of the pix it looked great.

Remember to attach a warning to always maintain a distance of three miles from the horizon to avoid sailing over the edge. ;)
 
Jan 25, 2007
366
Cal Cal 33-2 cape cod
I appreciate the feedback, I'm sure you all know the feeling of venturing into the unknown of boat projects. It's funny seeing the detailed sea serpent off the coast of Brasil. I was concerned the bottom of chart goes from white to yellow/amber, the inlay is flush on the side, overlayed slightly on top, but if I'm pulling dividers or a parallel ruler on a 300 year old chart, I'm sure to be fall off the edge of something.
 
Jan 22, 2008
519
Sundance Sundance 20 Weekender Ninette, Manitoba, Canada
IIRC there is a spray seal that you can apply to the chart to 'proof' it against a topping of varnish. I think it is a spray lacquer, but I would advise you to google that first. I have also used clear hair spray effectively, but try it on a similar piece of work first. Varnish will cause the ink to bleed so that is why you need to seal it first. Another way of sealing paper is to paint it with a thin mixture of lepages white glue and water. It will dry clear, although a bit cloudy. Do this on another document first to check if this is an effect you can tolerate. Once the glue is dry, or if you use laquer, then you can top it with varnish, although that is typically a soft finish that will scratch and peel eventually. Back in the 70 or early 80's there was a product that came in a can, and you would pour it over a plaque and it would self level, absolutely clear, and rock hard... but I can't remember the name of the product. I thought it was decoupage but that appears to be the process not the product. (Help me someone) Perhaps asking at an art or finer wood supply store may net you results. This would be an excellent finish for your chart table. I did google a similar product called Envirotex that may do the job. Good luck with your project... it is way cool!
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Since you say the border isn't flush

You surely don't want it in your boat. I would be a nice guy and help you dispose of it. Might even be talked into paying the shipping.
Seriously though. WAY COOL I think that what Roger is talking about is a clear urethane. Like that stuff they use on resturant tables. It is perfectly clear, self leveling and hard as a rock. I would follow others advice, and check with someone who knows for sure though, before I did anything to it. VERY NICE WORK
 
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
I wouldn't try hair spray, since the solvents in most hairsprays may cause the ink to bleed or run—after all, you can use hairspray to remove ballpoint pen ink stains.

There's a clear-coat epoxy finish that is used for bar tops and such that would be ideal for this. I've used it to finish counters and such, and it is a thick, self-leveling, impact resistant finish. IIRC, it is available at most Home Despot stores, in their paint section.

Another choice would be this epoxy finish. Basically, this is the same stuff, different manufacturer. :)
 
Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
I removed the formica off the salon table (scratched/old), put on new formica (wood grain) came out nice. Then I had to mess with the nav table, so here it is, I didn't research the varnish over old chart look (couldn't find anyone who did this) so I have this interesting 17th century chart, but is this smart? My rooter skills stink, so the border isn't flush. Is this acceptable? I haven't install this yet, I'm contemplating, advice? Ideas? Thank you.
I agree... very cool. Use for navigation if you get 3 sheets to the wind... and don't go over the edge!

What ever you do... experiment on another document first.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
What adhesive did you use to glue the chart to the board? If you have a piece of paper with similar inks on it try shellac, the solvent there is alcohol. The solvent in the varnishes is mineral spirits. There are acrylic finishes that are water thinned they dry quickly and work well. I have a set of plans for a dinghy that I glued to plywood with walpaper paste and protected with Minwax acrylic with no distortion of the paper or the ink when it was dry. The water in the acrylic caused the paper to swell for a little while but when it dried all was flat and tight. Experiment with other papers first and look for the trouble that might ruin your work.

Decopage involves many coats of varnish wet sanded between coats with 400 grit and finer coated abrasives.
 
Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
I like it a heap:D

That just is way way nice. Are thinking about marketing them?
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I have a product in the closet by "Fibre Glass Evercoat" called "Table Top Resin". Two parts, like the usual resins. If you can remove the top and treat the whole top, that would be great. I don't think you'll find it at marine stores, but certainly craft/hobby shop stores would carry it. These table-top resins are different than laminating resins.

I have not used this product before. I have about a dozen letter sets from Scrabble games and want to make a card table top, laying out the letter tiles then resin-coating them.
 
Jan 25, 2007
366
Cal Cal 33-2 cape cod
Hey, thanks guys. I used 3M super 77 spray adhesive, worked well enough. I've started with 2 layers of thinned varnish, I like the look of the bar top epoxy and that envirotex pour on stuff looks good too. I'll check to see if I can pour the stuff over the epiphranes varnish. There's no patent on my madness, if anyone wants to market this, good luck. I'm encouraged with the positive feedback, actually looking forward now to putting the table back in and see how it looks, that is, if the snow ever lets up.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Hey, thanks guys. , if the snow ever lets up.
Be of good cheer. History shows that the snow always has stopped before so it probably will this time also. ;)
 
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