Removing ski locker carpet and resurfacing

[spoilsofwar]

Hey all, I have two compartments in the cockpit deck of my boat; a cooler and a "ski locker". I use the quotations because you could never get a waterski in the larger compartment, it's much too small. I use it to store a few plastic boxes holding paper plates, napkins, grill tongs, and things like that.

Anyway, the cooler is plastic, which is smart. It drains to the bilge. I don't use it as a cooler, but I throw a Walmart plastic bag in it and use it as a trash can.

The ski locker, on the other hand, is carpeted. A stupid surface for in-floor, considering there is no carpet anywhere else on the boat except the cabin bulkhead. it stains, and retains water, and smells, etc.

I'd like to tear out the carpet (which would be easy, it is just glued down and stapled around the edges) and resurface it with? To make it somewhat smooth and easy to clean out. It also has a drain to the bilge.

Under the carpet is rather rough fiberglass. So the question is:

What would you use to smooth and surface the compartment in order to make it easy to clean out?

 

[SkaterRace]

Marine vinyl for decks is what I am currently looking at replacing my carpet with. I think it offers good resistance to wear as well as is easy to install and clean.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

You sure have multiple options to choose from. You can roll gelcoat, paint or use another glue on type finish live vinyl. In all options, you will need to remove the old adhesive first and with the first two options you really need to be thorough. I use 3M adhesive remover for the job. Just decide on what finish you like to use and step by step instruction can be provided. About those staples, are they on the horizontal floor or the vertical sides?

 

[spoilsofwar]

About those staples, are they on the horizontal floor or the vertical sides?

Thanks for the reply. The staples are only on the vertical surfaces, around the top of where the carpet meets the underside of the cockpit deck.

 

[jbcurt00]

Unless you mechanically fasten marine vinyl down around the edges, it tends to curl w age, not ideal in a limited access 'ski locker'.

I'd suggest gelcoat or BilgeKote. Prep prep prep

Even an oil based enamel w added hardener would likely do well too.

 

[spoilsofwar]

I'm expecting the fiberglass surface to be rather rough when I pull up the carpet, based on what I see around the top edges. What is the process for smoothing the surface prior to applying a topcoat such as gelcoat or paint? I'm not real worried about it being beautiful, just easy to keep clean.

 

[further]

BilgeKote like JB suggested is probably your best bet.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

BilgeKote or gelcoat is what I would go for. Preparation is the same. Remove all glue. I use 3m adhesive remover. But some members use Xylene. Soak some shop towels, lay em flat on the surface for 5 or 10 minutes. Scrap the glue with putty knife. Reapply as before, this time use bronze wool to collect the remaining glue. Now start the grinding id you can get a grinder inside, if not sand. Or a combination of both. 40 grit. Clean with Acetone. Repeat if you need to until you dont have any traces of glue. To test, apply the removing solvent you used, let it work and touch with your hand... you shouldn't feel any stickyness in your hand. Clean again with Acetone. Wipe in one direction and change rags/rage surface often. Anw, you are ready to paint or gel. If you are going for gel. Spread a layer of gel around with squeegee - a trick we learned fron Ondarvr - to fill any pinhole in the surface, the use a short roller to roll it around. If you are going for BilgeKote, use the instructions on the can to prime - if needed - and apply

 

[spoilsofwar]

Thanks for the posts guys. I'll be tackling this the next time I have a weekend off. I'll post pics when done.

 

[spoilsofwar]

I pulled the carpet out today. Unfortunately it did not remove very cleanly, so looks like I've got my work cut out for me in order to prep for some bilgekote.

Look what else was under there... Lucky penny? Some sort of Stingray tradition? Or just fell out of a glass layer's pocket? Who knows, but I'll not be removing it

 

[mxcobra]

wow , Wondering why coins are always found imbedded in the glass on. found a quarter in my boat. anyway a stiff wire brush on a drill will zip that glue and coin right out of there...

 

[spoilsofwar]

So here's the progress for today

Managed to get 95% of the left over adhesive and carpet fuzz off using the shop rag method deepblue suggested. What's left are the stubborn vertical surfaces and the (rough) filets between planes. I'll get at those with scrubbing wool or pad, then it's time to sand. Not enough room to grind, so I'll do it by hand.

Gonna order up some bilgekote in grey so it matches the cooler compartment.

 

[spoilsofwar]

So after much prep, to include resealing the corner joints with west six10, here it is after two coats of bilgekote.

The grey bilgekote is almost a perfect color match for the plastic cooler compartment

Call this one complete although I may put a sheet of Seadek on the flat portion of the locker just to keep stuff from sliding around.

Thanks again to those who provided advice!