Reviving deck with boat soup- practical questions from a novice

[uma]

Dear all
I have a pine on-lay deck with 3" deck planks which are bolted down. Last summer I managed to recaulk the 23m deck the traditional way with cotton,oakum and pitch.
This summer once i have more consistent dry days, i want to apply boat soup.
While i have researched, I need advice from people who actually use it on their boats.
My questions
1. How do i prep the deck b4 the application? its old weathered with some thin cracks. do i fill the crack? or the par with fill it?. I am not super keen on sanding 23m deck as i believe there were no sanders in old ships but they could have used planers?
-so what do i clean the deck with? chemical deck cleaner? salt and water? dishwashing liquid and elbow grease?
- do i sand it or not?
-do i fill the cracks? if yes with what?

2. I read different combinations of pine tar,BLO, turp and japan drier/tung oil. can anyone advise me as to what parts of each to use?
3. How early do i need to prepare the soup? do i need to strain it? with what?
4. do apply oil first before the soup? as wood is dry...has no varnish on it for decades
5. there are some areas that take longer to dry after continuous rain. do i need to apply wood hardner b4 soup?
Please help

 

[Gary Fox]

Hi, what are the planks bolted to? Is it a wooden boat, or steel with wood deck? Where are you and what boat is it? It looks very interesting.

 

[penfold]

The Royal Navy's 'wooden walls' had their decks scrubbed with holystone.

1. How do i prep the deck b4 the application? its old weathered with some thin cracks. do i fill the crack? or the par with fill it?. I am not super keen on sanding 23m deck as i believe there were no sanders in old ships but they could have used planers?

 

[uma]

Hi, what are the planks bolted to? Is it a wooden boat, or steel with wood deck? Where are you and what boat is it? It looks very interesting.

she is a swedish icebreaker. The one u see in my profile pic.

The Royal Navy's 'wooden walls' had their decks scrubbed with holystone.

The Royal Navy's 'wooden walls' had their decks scrubbed with holystone.

T
Has on-lay wooden deck I replaced some of the wooden bungs. Thats how i know there are threads coming from steel and bolts holding the planks.

The Royal Navy's 'wooden walls' had their decks scrubbed with holystone.

I dont think i have the strength to do sanding with stone...But atleast i know they cleaned and sanded b4 applying soup. thanks. waiting for some more answers regarding rest of my questions.In the meantine painting the superstructure.

 

[penfold]

I would hold off on sanding or planing until you've applied the soup as it is likely to raise the grain.

 

[Hacker]

Watch a YouTube video by Salt and Tar. They use their boat soup on the deck, superstructure and spars. In one episode they show their recipe.

 

[uma]

I love the beautiful grain.i just needed to know what prep i should do b4 applying boat soup. Most people think like varnish but i felt salt water wash and elbow grease might be enough.

I would hold off on sanding or planing until you've applied the soup as it is likely to raise the grain.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

You could use something like a Wood bleach (Liberon ) or similar .Gets rid of bad stains .
Then when rinsed off and dry ,I apply my Boat soup mix .Turps,BLO ,Stockholm tar ,and Driers .

 

[uma]

You could use something like a Wood bleach (Liberon ) or similar .Gets rid of bad stains .
Then when rinsed off and dry ,I apply my Boat soup mix .Turps,BLO ,Stockholm tar ,and Driers .

Thanks. I dont want bleached look....but will look into it. I have the ingredients for boat soup ready
I need to know if i should prepare the soup in advance and leave it to settle before use...
Also i wasnt sure about sanding. I might just try deck wash with wood bleach and go for the soup