Reviving cabin sole floor boards

[rogerroger]

Hi

The cabin sole floor boards on my boat are looking a little dull - but otherwise they're OK.

What's the best way to liven them up? I was thinking a good clean / degrease then a very light sand then a coat of yacht varnish.

Any thoughts?

 

[Evadne]

I find that a periodic soaking in a 1:10 mixture of diesel and bilge water, with a dash of engine oil, keeps them shiney /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
I don't varnish my sole because its slippery enough already, but others use things like proprietary floor varnish.

 

[capt_courageous]

I have sanded our boat's floorboards with an orbital sander and applied a couple of coats of B&Q quick drying (acrylic I think ) floor varnish. The boat is 20 years old and the floor looks a lot better for it.

 

[LORDNELSON]

I lightly sanded mine and then gave four coats (the first three thinned a bit) of Blakes "Classic" Varnish. It looks good and, after two years wearing well.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I think that the 'Satin Effect' varnish looks better - but that's only my opinion. For real hard wear you need the two pack poly' but its a sod to apply.

 

[SeaLady]

I have used a product called Bourn Seal or Bourne Seal & highly reccomend it! It is supposedly used in highly used areas like churches & assembly rooms & I found it did not get slippery when wet.

 

[Stemar]

I've used le Tonkinois around my boat - hardwearing and non-slip wet or dry.

I was sufficiently impressed to do my stairs at home. They're still fine - a maintenence coat or two this year, I think - after 2 years of leadfooted teenagers. Boat's fine too.

 

[rudolph_hart]

I did mine a few years ago and it stayed like new. Sanded with orbital sander (enough to remove ALL the previous sprayed-on laquer, but not enough to pentrate the top layer of veneer). Applied 4 coats of Ronseal Extra Hard Floor varnish, for commercial floors (trendy wine bars, I suppose). Satin is better than gloss.

I was so impressed that I have given the sole, companionway steps and saloon table of the new (unmarked) boat 4 coats of the same as a protective measure; it's much easier to do before they get worn in patches, as you don't have to obital sand, remove stains etc. All you have to do is light 200 grade rubdown for a key, wipe with white spirit and apply, then Bob Sherunkel.