restoring cabin floorboards

[PaulR]

guidance please - has anyone tried stripping the varnish from floorboards to get them back to bare timber for cleaning and revarnishing?

if so what did you find best to strip existing coating - not sure whether to carry on sanding or to use a chemical stripper/scrape then sand .

ours are the typical wood floorboards with contrasting stripes of dark and thin light stripes of timber - thanks all

 

[Cloven]

Use Nitromors Varnish Stripper - then sand and re-varnish. If there is any water staining etc, use Oxalic Acid or a suitable wood bleach before sanding. The idea is to keep the sanding to a minimum.

 

[MoodySabre]

I used Nitromors Varnish Stripper and a scraper to get off as much as possible followed by sanding. 5 coats of Ronseal Diamond Hard floor varnish Satin finish. Lovely job.

 

[LORDNELSON]

Would suggest a test area! Some floorboards which appear to be varnished are actually sealed with a plastic finish which can be peeled off; others are varnished and can be stripped inn the normal manner.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

I found careful use of a heatgun and a scraper did the job nicely - didn't fancy Nitromorse in the confined of the cabin

Need to not over do the heat or you risk scorching the boards - I guess it probably depends on what was on before (mine was normal varnish I reckon)

 

[MoodySabre]

I took the boards home and did them in the garage - It's too messy to do on the boat.

 

[mhouse]

I think Dehler used an epoxy coating. I forund that a very sharp sccraper worked ok. followed by a light sand. nitromores did not touch it.

 

[Refueler]

Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

I've been on various boats with 'holly striped' cabin soles but found them cold and at times slippery under foot.
I'm a carpet person - dropping out of bunk onto a softer warmer item appeals to me !

How do you lot with 'varnished' soles cope ? Slippers ? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

"'ve been on various boats with 'holly striped' cabin soles but found them cold and at times slippery under foot.
I'm a carpet person - dropping out of bunk onto a softer warmer item appeals to me !

How do you lot with 'varnished' soles cope ? Slippers ?"

You mean you take you boots off before going to bed? Now there's posh for you.

 

[Cliveshep]

Re: Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

Our saloon is a "knicker-free" zone at night so not only boots come off! I buy the cheapest Carpet Right backed carpet I can, after all it can easily be changed each season if necessary, and it's nice to have a warm floor, aided by the underfloor heating ducting from the Eber.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

Re: Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

Carpets on a 'wet sea boat' can end up being damp the whole time from the salt.
When SW(normally)MBO wanted carpets on our little yacht, I informed her it wasn't a caravan. End of subject.
To become non slip you can add fine grit/sand to varnish or add the sheeted grip products in areas to be varnished over. Not sure of any tradenames but I've got some on my companionway steps that looks and works fine.
I agree with those who suggest Nitromors, but the old stuff that you used to have to wash off with white spirit worked better but I believe the H&S have stopped its use.

 

[Refueler]

Re: Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

[ QUOTE ]
"'ve been on various boats with 'holly striped' cabin soles but found them cold and at times slippery under foot.
I'm a carpet person - dropping out of bunk onto a softer warmer item appeals to me !

How do you lot with 'varnished' soles cope ? Slippers ?"

You mean you take you boots off before going to bed? Now there's posh for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Only if she insists !!

Seriously - I was asking genuinely as I do like to have a soft warm underfoot. Boat before I had - I always used bathroom carpet with the rubber back. But present boat has hessian backed proper carpet and even after all these years of my lack of care - they still provide good service.
Under them is plain grey painted ply sole boards - which I intend to replace with something better cosmetic and also in sections so I can get at areas.

The Holly Striped soles really look nice I must agree. Still cold though !

 

[PaulR]

Re: Question from a \'sensitive foot person\' ?

thanks all - have bought and used today nitromors and scraper and it worked!

have just been sanding ready for varnish and reached that lovely stage where the wood feels great to touch and it almost seems a shame to put varnish on it!

will get the varnish tomorrow and then on with the ronseal

thanks for the guidance