Refurbishing bulkheads

[Paleyma]

Hi,

My bulkheads (and most other flat vertical surfaces in the boat) are covered with a very thin "vinyl"-type covering (although much thinner than the modern leather-effect vinyl). Because the boat is 35 yrs old there are numerous holes, rips etc, and I am looking for advice on how to refurbish.

Simply re-covering in modern vinyl would be one option - although it is going to be difficult getting a neat edge up against areas where I can't remove the adjacent trim/woodwork. Anyone done this? Does the vinyl start to peel at the edges?

Another option might be to paint it - anyone had experience of doing this? What sort of paint? Just any old oil-based emulsion?

Any ideas or advice gratefully received.

Thanks

 

[jcmmarine]

I have replaced most of the surfaces in my current and previous boats; deckheads, vinal flats and carpeted sides.

It is not difficult and is not expensive, but it is time consuming and you need to bite the bullet and remove (and sometimes replace), all the trim. In my last boat I even removed and resealed the windows as a by-product of it being necessary to remove them to replace the interior lining.

The most difficult bit is getting your wife to decide on the replacement colour and texture. The most anoying is watching others going out whilst you are on your third day of scraping off 25 year old glue to prepare surfaces.

 

[santeana]

No experience of doing this but since responses are a trifle slow I'll have a go! Would iron-on pre glued teak veneer be worth considering? You can get reasonable sized sheets (e.g. www.woodveneer.co.uk); easy to join; easyish to butt up to trim; pretty classy finish. Good luck.

 

[Paleyma]

Thanks - hadn't considered veneer, which would certainly give me more chance of a neater finish where it needs to be butted up against wood trim which isn't easy to remove. I will have a look into this.