06-08 high gloss cherry delamination

[CougarCruiser]

We are looking at a few 48 Sundancers. Fantastic boats for us, but are seeing, and reading, about some of the issues with the high gloss cherry cabinetry and woodwork in some boats of this era.

there are clearly delamination issues, bubbling, and clouding that is well documented. However, if we identify a boat that isn't exhibiting those symptoms, is it safe to say that we probably won't have an issue going forward? The boats would already be 8-10 years old already. Or, is it just a matter of time?

Any opinions?

 

[bmac]

I can't directly answer your question regarding the likelihood of this issue arising after 8-10 years, but the '06's did not have this problem with the laminates. To my knowledge it only occurred from '07 on with the high gloss finish.

 

[beeracuda1]

Hello, I'm also looking at an 07-08 48 DA with high gloss cherry that is clouded and de-laminating. Has anyone attempted to re-finish or replace the laminate? I'm trying to get an idea of cost etc. I understand Marinemax was subleting contractors under warranty for a period of time, they were replacing the laminate. Would love to know who they were using in the south florida area. I found www.restorationmarine.com that sells the sheets but they don't install.

It's also my understanding the issues were heat and humidity activated, owners in hotter climates that didn't run their a/c mostly ran into these issues. Boats up north not exposed to extreme hot temps and humidity had a far lower rate of failure. So to answer cougar's questions, from my experience if you keep the cabin climate controlled year round, the laminate should not fail.

 

[PlayDate]

Hello, I'm also looking at an 07-08 48 DA with high gloss cherry that is clouded and de-laminating. Has anyone attempted to re-finish or replace the laminate? I'm trying to get an idea of cost etc. I understand Marinemax was subleting contractors under warranty for a period of time, they were replacing the laminate. Would love to know who they were using in the south florida area. I found www.restorationmarine.com that sells the sheets but they don't install.

It's also my understanding the issues were heat and humidity activated, owners in hotter climates that didn't run their a/c mostly ran into these issues. Boats up north not exposed to extreme hot temps and humidity had a far lower rate of failure. So to answer cougar's questions, from my experience if you keep the cabin climate controlled year round, the laminate should not fail.

I agree with that....temperature control makes the difference. Once the glue releases....it gets bubbles and cloudy....there is no way to repair it without replacing the material. The glue will release around 125 degrees F which not common in Northern boats but likely to happen in hot climates.

Additionally, we have not been able to get our hands on the stock used by Sea Ray from 2004 up. That poses a problem for repairs. The only source we have found is leftover damaged stock at FP Marine. Hopefully that will change but it really is a problem as the boats get older.

 

[Fastphil]

I just purchased a 04 420 da. The salon table is a blotchy faded mess. I called mfg to see what type of finish is on the table, but they never called me back. I'm sure it can be refinished, but I was wondering what the finish actually is. If sanded were do u stop? Can it be stripped with paint remover? Any ideas? Thx

 

[beeracuda1]

Congrats on the new boat Phil! Looking at those salon tables on yw.com, they sure look like a laminate to me. The one I'm looking at is burl walnut in the center with a black perimeter stripe and cherry looking rounded edges. If it is a laminate then refinishing won't work, you'd be looking at replacement. But I'm just going off photos.

 

[FootballFan]

I just purchased a 04 420 da. The salon table is a blotchy faded mess. I called mfg to see what type of finish is on the table, but they never called me back. I'm sure it can be refinished, but I was wondering what the finish actually is. If sanded were do u stop? Can it be stripped with paint remover? Any ideas? Thx

Speaking as a former wood worker - not a boater. It would take considerable skill to strip that table down and refinish to wind up with a finish that is comparable to the table in a "nearly new" state. I haven't priced table tops - might be something that you want to investigate. Just my thought.

Mark

 

[Fastphil]

Thanks beeracuda, lol. I tried logging on to yw.com. It's all in Chinese!! Was that a typo?
thx

 

[SRMark]

Take a look at a Thread called Salon Table Refinishing in the Fiberglass/Wood/Gelcoat Repair Forum.

 

[CLH]

FWIW my 2001 460 had a very small area of delamination in the forward stateroom (about 3"). I ran some silicon glue underneath the area and taped it down until dry with blue tape. I've heard that earlier boats could also have delam and clouding issues. I think I was told that for the cloudiness, if it hadn't happened yet, it is unlikely to start now.

Also- I learned the hard way that you can't put something like goo-gone on this surface to get rid of a foreign sticky substance. When I bought the boat there was a very small area (like quarter-size) of sticky material (from PO) and I tried goo-gone on it. It totally took the shine off the area! So what I did was bought a spray can of Minwax high gloss polyurethane and sprayed a bit into a dixie cup. I blue taped off the problem area and applied the poly with a foam brush. Brought the shine back very nicely, 1 coat.

The other thing I've learned about this stuff is that cleaning fingerprints off (my boat came with a lot of fingerprints) doesn't just happen with any cleaner. So far I've had the best success with Murphy's oil soap and water.

This has been a little learning curve but I think I've got it squared away for the most part. Having had classic boats in the past with beautiful wood interiors/exteriors, I'm pretty picky about how surfaces look.

Cheryl

 

[Rocket]

Delamination issue is different than the clouding. I have an 07 48da and the curved valances have delaminated. I was able to source the laminate. Searay sent me their supplier and they had a few sheets available. I bought them and have not been able to find a carpenter to do the job. They all want me to remove the valance and bring to the shop. All flat surfaces are fine on my boat.
During my search I did also witness a majority of the 07 with clouding issues on the high gloss doors. These are the solid wood doors with urathene finish. I was told there is no fix for this as this happens due to moisture in the wood when sealed. I also witness this in the 2008 boats.

 

[SRMark]

I just purchased a 04 420 da. The salon table is a blotchy faded mess. I called mfg to see what type of finish is on the table, but they never called me back. I'm sure it can be refinished, but I was wondering what the finish actually is. If sanded were do u stop? Can it be stripped with paint remover? Any ideas? Thx

If it is the salon table that is oval that has the black stripe around the edge the finish can be restored with wet sanding and compounding. if you look at the Thread Refinishing Salon Table in the Fiberglass/Wood/Gelcoat forum Blueone has before and after pictures of how he was able to restore the finish on his. My boat will be out of winter storage soon and I plan to try to replicate his results on mine.