Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

[wewefirex2x]

I have constructed a new dog house for my boat. It's a 1989 Monterey 1900 Cuddy Cabin. I don't like this boat (want a bowrider) but have had it for 3 years and it's paid for. I have spent the last 3 weeks building this doghouse. What I did was remove the old one from the boat. Dismantle it into seperate pieces. I had the front section,two side sections and top piece. I went out and bought two pieces of BC plywood, table saw, draw knife, Poly resin and fiberglass mat.
1. The side pieces:
The bottom was 10" high and 28.5" long
The top of the side piece was 13.5" high and 28.5" long

Once the side pieces were cut I ripped a 3" piece of plywood and made a 12 degree cut on one side to get the top to lean in.

2. The front piece:
The front bottom was 10" inches high and 28" wide
The front top was 28" wide at the bottom and 25" at the top, 13.5" high

3. The 2x4 supports which hold the front and side sections together were a pain in the butt. I attached a picture so you can better understand.

4. The cup holder was easy and as you can see is already covered in vinyl. I still need one more cup holder. I made the mistake and cut a opening for the factory ashtray and forgot I threw the original away. No more ashtray in the boat.

My question is how would you finish this? As you can tell I put a little paint a the bottom to see what it would like like. The fiberglass mat and resin will be seen if I don't fair everything in (more money). I have 1/2 inch foam and vinyl to finish but am worried about the bottom of the doghouse messing the vinyl up, when I pull it out or move it. I will be removing carpet from boat and painting the deck with Interlux Interdeck. I bought 1/2 inch foam because the two stores in my area don't carry anything thinner. It will compress to 1/4 inch again just worried about the bottom. Please Help??? I also recieved a quote to reupholster this doghouse and it was $720.00.

http://s350.photobucket.com/albums/q440/wewefirex2x/

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Anybody??

 

[contractorguy]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Nice job! I can see what the draw knife was for... lots of work eh?

How about carpeting the sides and doing vinyl on the top? Maybe you could find a trim strip for the transition and DIY...

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Honestly, first time using a draw knife. Borrowed it from my father in law. That knife was over one hundred years old. I think the carpet on the bottom will work. Carpet the bottom portion up to the seam and then use vinyl to finish the top. What should I use at the seam. I was thinkling Hidem.

 

[Robj]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

I take it that your concern is at the bottom the vinyl would eventually get torn. Maybe an option is to use a wood or ss or even aluminum trim at the very bottom maybe 1 inch wide and then vinyl the rest. I am sure you could make it look good.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

I agree with Robj. Foam covered with vinyl and a metal trim would be easy. Do the top first so you can cover the staples. Then do the a single piece that will wrap around the remaining three sides. Start at the top edge with the finished side of the vinyl facing inwards and put a straight row of staples along the top rim. It is important to get the staples straight and in line so the edge will be sharp and not wavy. You could use a thin strip of metal to give you a very even fold across the top.Fold the vinyl over the row of staples and down towards the bottom of the doghouse, put the foam in and stretch the vinyl over and staple along the bottom edge. Attach the metal strip along the bottom and your done. The thicker foam you use will dampen the sound better.Take your time and it will look just like the pro's did it with no seams.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Thats a nice looking peice of woodwork, its a pity to cover it up with rug.

The mfgers probably do it to cover up their slap it together carpentry.

I vote for a couple of clear coats and trim it out with stainless.

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

jonesg: This is actually the first time in my life that I built something that I can say I am proud of. That's why I need the input from you guys. I have searched the internet to find little tricks and upholstery items I can do myself. I would hate to have to redo.

What I have came across today is a product called Instabind.com. It will allow me to have the bottom 10" carpet with binding and then I can vinyl the top portion and look decent. Still looking for Ideas though.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Good find on the instabind.

I did mine with aluminum trim.... cheap stuff since I'm really squeezed for money this summer (52 gallon tank in the boat). It came out ok (check my doghouse from scratch thread for pics).

I'm not thrilled with the nautolex I put on top of it and on my deck, but that's another story

The carpet looks ok on mine, even though it's the 31 cents a square foot stuff from menards.

For your work, I'd say let it show as much as you can... that's a lot of effort with nice results, and you should show it off.

Erik

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

Thank You, Erik appreciate the compliment!!!

 

[wil7483]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

I agree with erik, it looks great. When i originally did mine I used carpet but the construction isn't as well as I know i can do. It is strong and definitely does the job but I want something different now. I am going to redo it and the deck and really build it nice this time but plan on spraying Interlux Brightside on it instead of the carpet or vinyl.

I trimmed it with heavy duty carpet trim I found in Lowes. The deck I used vinyl. After a year and a half it is still very nice but I just want to lose as much of the carpet and vinyl in the boat as possible. Easier to clean and less mildew from dampness.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

A well shaped peice of woodwork conveys a warmth that carpet doesn't quite manage, I would be looking for some teak trim and chrome.

Let it show.

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: Dog House made from scratch,How to finish??

I have done a couple of dog houses for my previous boats. I did carpet on the sides, and then vinyl on the top. I wouldn't worry to much about the vinyl on the bottom tearing. What I would do, is if you want to use vinyl, put the foam on the wood with some contact cement, and cut if flush with the bottom of the doghouse. Then vinyl down and around the bottom and staple it from the underside, this way you don't have the spring from the foam pushing up on the doghouse. If you need to hide two seams on the vinyl, there is a product called Hidem. Basically its a folded stitched piece of vinyl the you open up put the staples on the inside and then if folds back over on itself. Very simple and looks good. You should be able to find it at www.atrim.com or www.rochfordsupply.com. If you can't find it and need it, PM me and I'll help you out. I bought black at my local supplier a while back, check for upholstery supply shops in your area.