Sinbad1951
Well-Known Member
I have removed all my old treadmaster and want to replace it with synthetic teak decking. Anyone know of a suitable tradesman who will do a first class job. Boat based in Ipswich. All recommendations gratefully received.
Synthetic Teak Deck fitter/supplier wanted Ipswich
- Thread starter Sinbad1951
- Start date
Sinbad1951
Well-Known Member
Ummmm...any ideas before this drifts off to languish in the darkness of page 2!
Cantata
Well-Known Member
You got a reply to the same question on the East Coast forum....
Sinbad1951
Well-Known Member
My question was for an installer. The response to which you refer related to a manufacturer which although helpful was not the question I asked. Perhaps you have a recommendation which would assist.....
Otter
Well-Known Member
How did you get the Treadmaster off?
Wilkes recommended a great installer for us when we had it fitted inside the boat, name if James, but I haven't got his details, they will.
Sinbad1951
Well-Known Member
Rather slowly although I was fortunate in that it was never put on with 2 part adhesive. I assume the treadmaster was originally put on with the treadmaster contact adhesive.
I used a good quality wood chisel and kept it very sharp. Taking slices of about an inch wide each time. Some pieces came off in quite big chunks and others were like prising up cement! The secret was to wear goves to prevent blisters from driving the chisel and taking my time. A little every day.
Once the treadmaster was removed I found it best to leave the old glue to the sun and rain for several weeks to allow it to go hard and brittle. It then pushes off quite easily with the same chisel and wiping the decks over with a pot scourer soaked in acetone brings them up like new. Apart of course for the occasional chisel scour mark which I fill with two part gel coat filler and sand back flush.
It has only taken two years...!
I used a good quality wood chisel and kept it very sharp. Taking slices of about an inch wide each time. Some pieces came off in quite big chunks and others were like prising up cement! The secret was to wear goves to prevent blisters from driving the chisel and taking my time. A little every day.
Once the treadmaster was removed I found it best to leave the old glue to the sun and rain for several weeks to allow it to go hard and brittle. It then pushes off quite easily with the same chisel and wiping the decks over with a pot scourer soaked in acetone brings them up like new. Apart of course for the occasional chisel scour mark which I fill with two part gel coat filler and sand back flush.
It has only taken two years...!
Concerto
Well-Known Member
When I lifted my old Treadmaster I used a chisel tool on a multitool (Fein) and it came up relatively easily. An ordinary chisel will also work, but a bit slower.
On the East Coast Forum it twas me who recommended Wilks. The OP show have a chat with them as I suggested. They are very helpful and even told me how the fitters they use get an even weight - polythene bags filled with water.
Sinbad1951
Well-Known Member
Concerto thanks, I have contacted Wilks as you suggested and they have put me in touch with James.
Cheers
Cheers
Otter
Well-Known Member
Ah, ten years on the forum and at last I've been Lakesailored, a beautiful feeling.
LadyInBed
Well-Known Member
I will need to do mine soon, I'm thinking of using an electric plane, followed by a belt sander.
Will it do a job or be a massive kokup?
pvb
Well-Known Member
Treasure the moment!
Otter
Well-Known Member
I have heard of that method. If you can stand the dust I reckon a belt sander will make a good job of it. SWMBO keeps asking when we can have Tek Dek fitted and I say when we've got £10,000 spare, that's £3k for the Tek Dek and £7k to have the Treadmaster removed.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
Personally I feel that is a bit messy. See my post #7 and use a multitool with a chisel. Removed all of my cockpit and coamings in a day. Very quick and easy. Just need to keep the chisel edge sharp. Then a question of sanding the glue off. I did have a few small areas of gel coat that need a little filling, but this was caused by too many air bubbles within the gelcoat weakening the area. Simple fix and then covered.
Concerto
Well-Known Member
A good quality multitool from Fein will cost you £200 and should remove all the old Treadmaster in 4 days, then a couple of days preparation before bonding the Tek Dek. Even paying someone to do all this will not cost £7k, so give SWMBO her wish. You will be in her good books and enhance the look of your boat.