Below deck

[Cotillion]

Has anyone looked at their tired old woodwork below deck and decided to paint it as opposed to re-varnish. Do you think it looks better or have you regretted it?

 

[Wansworth]

I have seen it done especially painting dark varnished bulkheads really improved ,has to be well detailed leaving hardwood edging varnished

 

[Cotillion]

I have seen it done especially painting dark varnished bulkheads really improved ,has to be well detailed leaving hardwood edging varnished

Yes, that’s my current thinking, Thanks

 

[KDee]

I have seen it done especially painting dark varnished bulkheads really improved ,has to be well detailed leaving hardwood edging varnished

Did this on my Fairline 21, previous owner had used really dark varnish and I could not get rid of it. End result was better than I anticipated, and really brightened up the cabin.

 

[V1701]

I've done the forecabin & head on my Bowman 26. Used Zinsser BIN paint over the varnish as undercoat, you can paint over the varnish with this stuff, it's shellac based. I then used a kitchen paint, it was the closest match to the inner fibreglass headliner that I could find, bathroom paint would also be OK to use. This is a quick & easy brightening up of an old dark & dingy interior, I've still got some tidying up to do. You could spend more time and money to achieve a higher standard of finish but I am pleased with the results which you can see in this video...

 

[johnalison]

In the days of wooden boats, interiors were often or usually painted white, with varnished trim or structural members. It looks very good and very 'yachty'.

 

[pcatterall]

In the days of wooden boats, interiors were often or usually painted white, with varnished trim or structural members. It looks very good and very 'yachty'.

yep, painted the dark varnished bulkheads in our ( Neptunians) saloon white. Much airier and bright. As advised preserved some wooden trim.