Deck finishing

brother chris

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
2,063
We want to finish our floor on our mid deck on our 31' Fairliner, 1961. <br />We want to finish it with Dutch Elm, and was wondering what to put over it as a finish. We will be boating in salt water, so I need to know what will withstand the elements. <br />Thanks in advance.<br />Brother Chris.
 

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Deck finishing

Brother Chris - Embed it in fiberglass, apply three coats of gray bilge-coat paint, finish with a couple layers of thick rubberized non-skid (I like the black DuraBak) and you should be ok for a couple seasons. :D
 

brother chris

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
2,063
Re: Deck finishing

Thanks 18rabbit, but I wanted to keep a clear finish so it looks good. With fiberglass over it, I won't be able to see the wood, which is what I was planning.<br />I was hoping for a nice clear finish. <br />Do you think that resin will still keep the natural beauty of the wood; that is why we want to use dutch elm and not plywood.
 

G DANE

Commander
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
2,476
Re: Deck finishing

I dont know exactly how to do it, but I once saw am URL from guy building a Riva, laying one layer of sort of cloth and poly resin, afterwards sanding and polishing. Every wood detail was visible as thru clear laquer. Someone here must know what to use.
 

petrolhead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
614
Re: Deck finishing

Best thing to use is a layer of glass cloth (woven cloth NOT matting!) and epoxy resin, you'll need to use a few coats of good u/v resistant varnish to protect the resin from sunlight.<br />Take a look HERE for an excellent how-to. While you're there take a look at his whole site, it's awesome!
 

brother chris

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
Messages
2,063
Re: Deck finishing

Thanks guys. I did not know you could put fiberglass over wood and still see the original wood. Maybe I'm just not that good at fiberglassing then. <br />It seem like it would work. I think I will try one piece and see how it looks.<br />I'll post some pics once I do. <br />Thanks again. <br />Brother Chris.
 

G DANE

Commander
Joined
Nov 24, 2001
Messages
2,476
Re: Deck finishing

Petrolhead - exactly the site i saw a couple of years ago - awesome site. Good to see. Brother Chris, try to wipe an area you glassed over with acetone. when its still wet you will see the glassfiber is totaly invisible. Same effect when sanded and lacquered over.
 

petrolhead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 16, 2003
Messages
614
Re: Deck finishing

I did not know you could put fiberglass over wood and still see the original wood. Maybe I'm just not that good at fiberglassing then. <br />
It's just a question of technique, and using the correct materials.<br />You have to use a close weave glasscloth, and make sure it's one that is suitable for use with epoxy resin, some have a binder which is dissolved by polyester resin but not by epoxy.<br />The wooden deck should be primed and sealed with at least one coat of epoxy resin (thin laminating resin) then sanded smooth before applying the glasscloth.<br />The glass is applied dry, then the resin poured over it and squeegeed through so that the cloth is totally saturated, failure to saturate the cloth properly will result in bubbles and cloudy patches, done properly it will turn completely transparent (it's glass after all!).<br />You must use a resin and hardener mix that will give you sufficient time to work, it has to be done all in one go so you need to pick a hardener suited to your working temperature.<br />This may sound very complicated, but it's actually a lot easier than it sounds, and the end result is well worth it.
 

prockvoan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2004
Messages
512
Re: Deck finishing

It will work,look for a UV epoxy or and a year it will turn yellow from the sun.
 
Top