Refinishing interior of 45C

[Rickysa]

We're picking up our new to us '85 this weekend, and as I'm new to Hatts, I've got a quick question. Viewing the photos on the site, the interiors of your boats are beautiful...what is the best way to restore the veneer to get the sheen y'all are getting? The interior of this boat hasn't seen too much attention and has faded quite a bit and is quite scuffed up in areas...I've read posts here that commented on the type of wood used, and wondered if there was a preferred way to bring it back to life.

Rick

 

[MikeP]

There's probably as many different methods as there are Hatt owners!

I have had good luck with using Minwax red Mahogany stain and Minwax Tung Oil Finish (which isn't really Tung Oil). Some folks like to mix stain and finish together which speeds up the process, but I prefer to do them separately. If the wood is in really good shape, just dull, then the finish may be all you need. If it is faded, I scuff the surface with fine sandpaper or a course scotch-brite pad, rub on some stain and wipe it off a few minutes later. If it's not dark enough - do it again, following the directions on the can. When the stain is completed to your satisfaction, rub on the finish. It may take up to 3 coats to get a nice sheen allowing a day between coats.

This method is slow but essentially foolproof. The nice thing about it is that it can be renewed any time fairly easily.

Good luck with whatever method you choose!

 

[Rickysa]

Thanks Mike, just the info I was hoping for...I wasn't sure what color of stain folks had the results with, not being sure what the original finish looked like, and tung oil vs. polyurethane.

 

[Capten]

I agree. Tung oil is easy to work with and provides a great finish that can be touched up at any time. Won't chip or yellow like some varnished and poly's. We applied upwards of 11 coats for a very high gloss but you can get by with 4-5.

 

[polarizer]

I have had great luck simply rubbing on paint thinner to remove any old oils or oils from hands, or dirt, sanding lightly with 300 grit, don't sand the screws, and simply applying tip top teak oil. Brings up the original luster with out changing to color of the wood. It also smells nice afterwards.