Downeaster Yachts.com - Topic: Refinishing the deck

Erick on Refinishing the deck

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:51:58 -0400

Yeah the handrail bolts were a bit pain in the butt on Windsong. I eventually discovered the joy of using an impact driver and they came out easily.

theonecalledtom on Refinishing the deck

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:12:52 -0400

I'm assuming the woodwork (such as handrails and dodger edging) are all screwed in from above. Most of the newer items, like the dinghy mount I added are fastened through the headliner so shouldn't be a problem. I'm also assuming that when I get into the screws for the handrails many will be rusted and a PITA to remove.

Not sure about access to the underside of the head sheet tracks. Honestly I'd like to extend their length as they don't go far enough forwards to trim the headsail properly but I'm trying to slap my wrists as these extra jobs pop to mind....

Basically not really sure about a lot of the original hardware, such as the blocks for the staysail. At some point I figure enough is enough and they can just be painted around.

I'd prefer not to mess with the headliner, that's a whole load of work and mine is in pretty good condition barring a couple of areas that have been cutaway and that I'm planning on covering with some new panels.

Erick on Refinishing the deck

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:44:51 -0400

The biggest issue most DE owners face is removing the headliner to access the underside of hardware. I planned on removing all of mine to replace anyways, so tearing it out wasn't too hard. However, if you want to keep it you will be in a pickle. Unless you or a previous owner already addressed this by making removable headliner or panels.

Removing all hardware, potting the holes with epoxy, etc. could be done in a few days. I've been doing it very slowly bit by bit, but if I had some help and concentrated on it for a few whole days it wouldn't take long.

As for priming and painting, don't know how long it will take but I will find out soon enough.

As for the non-skid, I just plan on cleaning and roughing it up with bronze wool; prime with epoxy, paint, then sprinkle non-skid stuff on the wet paint. I don't see the need to grind it away.

Scott Carle on Refinishing the deck

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 21:50:17 -0400

sounds realistic if it is more than a 3 or 4 hour day. 🙂 sunup to sundown!!!!

we are going to cheat and try a rubberized paint that we can paint right over the top of the current nonskid. I though about doing what you are going to do and though it is the ultimate right way to do it, I just don't have the energy or time to do it that way.

theonecalledtom on Refinishing the deck

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:25:12 -0400

Hi there,

Our nonskid needs refreshing. I could just concentrate on the nonskid areas but the gelcoat is a bit shabby too and to do a decent job I'm playing with the idea of refinishing the entire deck.

This is obviously a big job and I'm wondering how much time it will take to do it properly (and how much money but first I need to figure out the time part!).

My rough first estimate is two days for two people to strip the deck hardware, another two days for two people to strip back the current non skid and get a decent surface to move forwards with painting.

Add another couple of days for one person to fill in cracks, patch glass as needed.

Week one done.

Week two would be spent applying several coats of paint and non skid.

Two days to put the hardware back together.

So about two and a half weeks of work to get shiny new decks that look like new.

Hopelessly optimistic?

-Tom