Refinishing bulkheads on a CD28

[CRISSCROSS]

I know the finish on the bulkhead is not real wood so sanding and varnish are out I guess. Any ideas on how best to clean this up? Its not too bad but are showing their age and have a few small holes I'd like to fill.
Thanks for any advice.

Bruce
s/v CrissCross

[pete faga]

Bruce
I believe you have paperbacked veneer.
Try sanding with 320 on a portion that you cannot see.
Pete

[pete faga]

Joe the woodworker has a great web site on installing paperback veneer.
He said most people use furniture polish!
I would test a small portion and see if you like the results.
My veneer sill looks pretty good after 40 plus years but I might try light sanding and some polish and see what the results are in a small area before I do the entire veneer.
Pete

[oldragbaggers]

Maybe I just got lucky so I am in no way advising anyone else to do it, but I cleaned, sanded, and varnished the bulkheads on my CD28 and had no problem with them whatsoever.

[CRISSCROSS]

Wow they look great. What grit sandpaper did you use and what did you clean with? What year is your CD? Looking at your sink where I have a hanging locker on my 1978.

[oldragbaggers]

I did the CD28 in 2008-2009 (we no longer have it). It was a 1981. I am now beginning this same process again with a 1982 CD33 (and I'm a bit overwhelmed by how much more wood there is).

To be honest I cannot remember what I used to clean it. I do not believe it was anything with acid, or even anything specifically for boats. It might have been Murphy's Oil soap but I am not certain. It was likely whatever cleaner I had available in the kitchen cabinet.

On the plywood surfaces I make sure I don't saturate the wood, I just wipe and wipe and wipe (and wipe). I use an old wash cloth or piece of towel, dipping and wringing it frequently, but I wring it well so not to get the wood really wet. This really just removes surface dirt but will not remove any deep stains. After the wood was thoroughly dry I sanded with 220 grit sandpaper, and I used an electric palm sander, but I sanded very lightly, what my mama would have called "a lick and a promise." I was a bit more aggressive with the solid wood trim where it was needed. On that I used a abrasive pad to clean. My process did not bleach the wood and would not remove any mold, mildew or black areas, but I was fortunate on that boat (and the one I am doing now) that the wood was in good shape, just generally dirty. The ash ceiling strips I removed from the boat so I could really clean and sand those well. I wanted to restore the light golden color and they came out beautifully. The wood has really darkened on the CD33, and I have considered trying to use teak cleaner and bleach but I am a bit scared to, as someone else has mentioned it might damage the glue in the veneer and cause it to raise. I think I will just do this same process again and if it's dark so be it.

I used Captains Spar varnish on that boat. I plan to use Epifanes this time.

Good luck with your CD28. They are such lovely boats and I loved the feeling of warmth and elegance that having varnished wood gave her. Having varnished wood on the 28 spoiled me and now I wouldn't dream of not doing it. I can't wait to see my CD33 gleaming like that.

[Jim Walsh]

The picture looks phenomenal. Before you start the process on your new CD33 perhaps you'd like to perfect your technique on my CD31 first. Practice makes perfect.

[oldragbaggers]

The picture looks phenomenal. Before you start the process on your new CD33 perhaps you'd like to perfect your technique on my CD31 first. Practice makes perfect.

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