Bulkhead finish

[Davidkinton]

I have just replaced my cabin bulkhead on my Buckingham cabin cruiser and am wondering how to finish it. I have coated the edges with epoxy where I have tabbed it to the sides of the boat, but I am wondering whether I should coat the whole lot in a couple of coats of epoxy or use international wood skin for a more breathable finish? The only problem with using epoxy is the wood is too light and I would like to darken it. Any ideas anybody?

 

[Poignard]

I would not epoxy it. It is uneccesary, and if you ever need to remove the epoxy you'll find it very hard work.

 

[Davidkinton]

What finish would you recommend?

 

[Hadenough]

Formica laminate.

 

[Poignard]

What finish would you recommend?

Mine are painted with Dulux Kitchen Emulsion. It makes the interior look clean and bright, it's cheap and easy to apply and maintain.

I don't like to see large areas of varnished plywood in a boat. Like living inside a cigar box!

 

[Tranona]

Is this an internal bulkhead or the main one separating the cabin from the cockpit? If the former then internal polyurethane varnish or paint will be fine. If the latter then you need to protect it from the elements so if you want a bright finish Woodskin will be a good choice, or you can paint it with Toplac.

 

[Poignard]

Good point Tranona. I assumed the OP was talking about an internal bulkhead.

 

[Tranona]

Good point Tranona. I assumed the OP was talking about an internal bulkhead.

In a previous thread the OP was asking about how to bond in the main bulkhead, so important to be clear about what he means by "main".

 

[fisherman]

Since refurbishing my fish shop I have been wondering about finishing the wheelhouse interior with 3mm hygienic plastic. Wipe clean, easy to fix, about £20 a sheet. If hygienic not required then a range of colours is available.

 

[PCUK]

Veneer of your choosing followed by satin varnish. Very classy!

 

[Tammany]

Mine are painted with Dulux Kitchen Emulsion. It makes the interior look clean and bright, it's cheap and easy to apply and maintain.

I don't like to see large areas of varnished plywood in a boat. Like living inside a cigar box!

Same here partly as painted the lockers and some panels white but did my main panels with fake leather vinyl.

 

[Poignard]

Looks good. What timber are those edgings?

 

[Tammany]

Stained pine. Not ideal but internally not really a problem.

 

[Poignard]

Stained pine. Not ideal but internally not really a problem.

Well they look fine. I need some mouldings in my saloon and I think I'll do the same as you. I can get good quality pine moulding in France at a much lower price than mahogany.

Thanks!

 

[Davidkinton]

The bulkhead is the main one separating the cabin from the cockpit. I have epoxied the lower section where it is likely to come into contact with bilge water and have ordered some wood skin to paint the main area of plywood.