Need to refinish cabin door
- Thread starter stlof
- Start date
Captains Cat
New member
Why don't you bring a color chart for stains back to the boat? :lol:
Sure sounds a lot easier!
Charlie
Sure sounds a lot easier!
Charlie
If the cabin door is made of Decraguard, I'd suggest "Back to Black" which is available at any of the auto parts stores. It brings back the color and lustre to any plastic-type surface. It's mostly used for plastic trim on cars but seems to work well on Decraguard, which is a polyester similar to gelcoat.
Hope that helps.
Mike
Hope that helps.
Mike
stlof":ltmcmgcz said:
My 1990 door is also laminate, as in Formica over plywood. When I re-do it I will remove it from the boat, remove all hardware, belt sand it with 60 grit, get out the Contact cement & put new laminate on, Knock off the edges & window opening with a router & all is well!!
:beerCaptains Cat
New member
stlof":37x788ro said:
I thought it was pretty "kind". I had a 94 CD 22 with the same door. Just used a generic brown stain, sanded it first, coated it until it looked good and then put polyurethane over it. Looked "original", at least a lot better!
There was another thread here with the same question and he'd posted how he did it. I think if you search for it, you'll find it. I'll look after I post this.
Here's the LINK to a very old thread on a refinish job. I don't think there are any pictures anymore though. I know there's more but don't have time to poke anymore.
Charlie
Lots of options here!
If the door is "wood" or Decraguard", and you like the wood look, the route that replaces the plastic laminate with another formica piece is the best, providing you have the tools and skills to cut, glue and edge it.
Refinishing a real wood door takes more judgment on how far down to sand the wood , how to re- stain it (if necessary), and what to use as a coating. I'd suggest clear POLYURETHANE as it is more durable than anything else (harder to chip, etc). (See below)
Another option would be to just sand and paint the door with a solid color, one that matches the trim color of the boat. I've seen this done, and it looks very nice and even original! Again, polyurethane is the toughest paint available, and a pigmented (colored) paint will last quite a bit longer than a clear one due to the increased resistance to UV light deterioration with the pigment in the paint. This principle works with all paints, basically. Epoxy would be good too, but polyurethane is much more flexible, chip resistant, and flows out better to a flatter finish with a higher gloss.
The best polyurethanes and epoxies come in two parts that react (really polymerize) together, but a single part paint that dries reacts in the presence of air would be fine on a door.
If you like the looks and don't mind the increased loss of privacy, one could also always go to the factory or a plastics supply outfit and have a clear door made up like the new boats. If I did that, I'd use a smoke tinted plastic to limit the view to the inside, etc. The big drawback would be the price, with several hundred dollars being the expected price tag. You'd probably also have to change the lock hardware, too, due to the difference in thickness of the door. Maybe the hinges would have to be reset somewhat or replaced too, due to the way the new door would fit into the doorway. Would have to think this one out carefully before committing to it!
Just a few cents of thoughts for free!
Joe. :teeth :thup
If the door is "wood" or Decraguard", and you like the wood look, the route that replaces the plastic laminate with another formica piece is the best, providing you have the tools and skills to cut, glue and edge it.
Refinishing a real wood door takes more judgment on how far down to sand the wood , how to re- stain it (if necessary), and what to use as a coating. I'd suggest clear POLYURETHANE as it is more durable than anything else (harder to chip, etc). (See below)
Another option would be to just sand and paint the door with a solid color, one that matches the trim color of the boat. I've seen this done, and it looks very nice and even original! Again, polyurethane is the toughest paint available, and a pigmented (colored) paint will last quite a bit longer than a clear one due to the increased resistance to UV light deterioration with the pigment in the paint. This principle works with all paints, basically. Epoxy would be good too, but polyurethane is much more flexible, chip resistant, and flows out better to a flatter finish with a higher gloss.
The best polyurethanes and epoxies come in two parts that react (really polymerize) together, but a single part paint that dries reacts in the presence of air would be fine on a door.
If you like the looks and don't mind the increased loss of privacy, one could also always go to the factory or a plastics supply outfit and have a clear door made up like the new boats. If I did that, I'd use a smoke tinted plastic to limit the view to the inside, etc. The big drawback would be the price, with several hundred dollars being the expected price tag. You'd probably also have to change the lock hardware, too, due to the difference in thickness of the door. Maybe the hinges would have to be reset somewhat or replaced too, due to the way the new door would fit into the doorway. Would have to think this one out carefully before committing to it!
Just a few cents of thoughts for free!
Joe. :teeth :thup
Jack in Alaska
New member
I painted mine with Pettit EasyPoxy -off white and it still looks good after about 15 yrs. I did the entire outside of the cabin enclosure.
I took off as much hardware as possible and the door, cleaned all surfaces with acetone and painted away. The paint levels really well to look almost like it had been sprayed.
I took off as much hardware as possible and the door, cleaned all surfaces with acetone and painted away. The paint levels really well to look almost like it had been sprayed.
stlof":28iu6jmw said:
Mine is also in bad need of a new skin, I have the laminated wood door. I'd thought about just making a new door, but the core and interior finish is fine.
I'll probably go with a new outer skin. I have several routers (I'm a yard sale nut) just need the correct trimming blade and guide.