The finish on the steps leading into the cabin have lost all if it's finish. I would like to redo them. What would you recommend? The steps are a wood laminate on my Hunter 380. Thanks for your help. Ken S/V Little Nesi
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Do you know what wood the outer
surface is? Is it teak or mahogany or what? The real answer depends on what the existing condition of the finish is which you describe as being: "lost all if it's finish". If it is an old varnished surface then liberal sanding would be disired to get down to the wood, possibly leaving areas where the old varnish seems good, then many re-coats. If it is a polyeurathane or Cetol or other product then sand smooth, wipe down with acetone (same for varnish to by the way), and re-coat with same. Old varnish yellows, curls up and flakes off wood. Cetol can turn darker or a greenish tint in a salt water environment (I assume your boat is in salt water but it is not clear from your initial post what waters you are in). Teak likes teak oil. Mahogany may prefer other oils before wiping down and eventually varnishing. If it is interior woodwork you could consider Tung oil before varnish for a lasting furniture like finish. Follow up with Butchers wax and it will look like one million dollars. There are books on the subject you ask about as well. Good luck. CalebD
surface is? Is it teak or mahogany or what? The real answer depends on what the existing condition of the finish is which you describe as being: "lost all if it's finish". If it is an old varnished surface then liberal sanding would be disired to get down to the wood, possibly leaving areas where the old varnish seems good, then many re-coats. If it is a polyeurathane or Cetol or other product then sand smooth, wipe down with acetone (same for varnish to by the way), and re-coat with same. Old varnish yellows, curls up and flakes off wood. Cetol can turn darker or a greenish tint in a salt water environment (I assume your boat is in salt water but it is not clear from your initial post what waters you are in). Teak likes teak oil. Mahogany may prefer other oils before wiping down and eventually varnishing. If it is interior woodwork you could consider Tung oil before varnish for a lasting furniture like finish. Follow up with Butchers wax and it will look like one million dollars. There are books on the subject you ask about as well. Good luck. CalebD
Do you find.....
... that your steps are delaminating as well ? I need to refinish as you do, but need to address the delaminating issue prior to that. Good luck...... Jeff
... that your steps are delaminating as well ? I need to refinish as you do, but need to address the delaminating issue prior to that. Good luck...... Jeff
Cabin Steps
Ken, I solved the problem of refinishing the steps and increasing safety at the same time by putting self sticking non skid down on each step. I used white non skid and it really helps to see the steps at night with very little light on them. When they get dirty a light scrubbing brings them back to the original white color. Paul s/v Lady Sara Hunter Legend 37
Ken, I solved the problem of refinishing the steps and increasing safety at the same time by putting self sticking non skid down on each step. I used white non skid and it really helps to see the steps at night with very little light on them. When they get dirty a light scrubbing brings them back to the original white color. Paul s/v Lady Sara Hunter Legend 37
Please Clarify...
You said the steps are wood laminate. Im not sure if that is the proper terminology. Are they made of laminated wood strips? or of a plywood type process? I am going to assume that they are of laminated wood. If that be the case , just sand them down (or strip them) and finish with either a polyurethane or a varnish. Then i would apply some form of 'non-skid' be it strips or the mat type. I personally stay away from oil finishes. To me, they are very unprofessional looking as well as not very durable. If your steps are delaminating....JEFF BACON....please include photo in your next post. Without a picture i would only be guessing. I will assume that they are delaminating lengthwise along the different woods. See if they can be run through a table saw for a nice clean separation. Then reglue them using a waterproof glue or epoxy if the joints dont meet perfectly. Of course, they will be 1/16 of an inch thinner if you use a 1/16 inch saw blade. You may have to add to the thickness in order to make all of the other screws or fittings still mate. Tony B
You said the steps are wood laminate. Im not sure if that is the proper terminology. Are they made of laminated wood strips? or of a plywood type process? I am going to assume that they are of laminated wood. If that be the case , just sand them down (or strip them) and finish with either a polyurethane or a varnish. Then i would apply some form of 'non-skid' be it strips or the mat type. I personally stay away from oil finishes. To me, they are very unprofessional looking as well as not very durable. If your steps are delaminating....JEFF BACON....please include photo in your next post. Without a picture i would only be guessing. I will assume that they are delaminating lengthwise along the different woods. See if they can be run through a table saw for a nice clean separation. Then reglue them using a waterproof glue or epoxy if the joints dont meet perfectly. Of course, they will be 1/16 of an inch thinner if you use a 1/16 inch saw blade. You may have to add to the thickness in order to make all of the other screws or fittings still mate. Tony B
The answer is varnish
Nothing looks so good or holds up so well on the steps as wood varnish. Follow directions, thin coats, avoid dust, etc. In the off-season, cover them with little rubber mats while you're up and down working.
Nothing looks so good or holds up so well on the steps as wood varnish. Follow directions, thin coats, avoid dust, etc. In the off-season, cover them with little rubber mats while you're up and down working.
Ultra Sole
Is what I did my steps in. It's not cheap $34 a qt, but what is on a sailboat. Just sand lightly and then follow the instructions, it's made so you don't slip even when there's water on the steps. Its not supose to be used outside, I had a Idea of doing the cedar deck on our Snipe with this stuff but the manufacture says inside only.
Is what I did my steps in. It's not cheap $34 a qt, but what is on a sailboat. Just sand lightly and then follow the instructions, it's made so you don't slip even when there's water on the steps. Its not supose to be used outside, I had a Idea of doing the cedar deck on our Snipe with this stuff but the manufacture says inside only.
Delaminating Steps
The wood is teak and I am not having a problem with delamination. FYI, Hunter recommends the wood be sanded down and then use a high quality teak oil. Ken
The wood is teak and I am not having a problem with delamination. FYI, Hunter recommends the wood be sanded down and then use a high quality teak oil. Ken
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