What are my cabin doors made of?

[CAGE RATTLER]

I purchased an 85 amberjack 255 not long ago and just dont like all the wood. The teak trim isnt to bad but the entire cabin entrance is also a woodgrain. Im assumming its just a laminate over solid wood??

Ive seen other boats like mine that have white panels with teak trim and was thinking of doing the same. Would you suggest just painting them? And if so, what type of paint should be used?

I was also thinking i could just go over them with a laminate. I have some pieces of the stuff you can put on shower walls that might look pretty good on there and probably look like fiberglass.

Any thoughts or opinions??

Anyone else change theres?? If so what did you do?

Any pics??

I also want to change my console as well but that will be another topic.

By the way ... Im hoping to get some pics of the boat this weekend.

 

[KRB64]

Man thats what I like about the classics - all the teak!

My suggestion would be to do something that can be undone if you ever tried to resell the boat but I don't know what that would be...

I just know that when I'm looking at boats I'm looking for originality. But there are also folks out there looking for an old boat with the "newer" look...

Can you get contact paper that can be applied to the panels & hold up to moist conditions???

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

Well theres 2 reasons i bought this "Classic" ............ #1 being I like the layout better than the newer ones (much roomier cockpit with the 10 ft beam) and #2, I cant afford the newer ones. :grin:

Contact paper is a thought but that certainly cant be undone easy i wouldnt think. Easier than paint or laminate though i guess.

 

[MoDean]

I did the project you are contemplating last year. I used Interlux Briteside and Sikkens Cetol on the teak. I thought it was a nice update to my 78 Srv240.

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

Thanks for the pic ....... That looks great.

 

[KRB64]

That does look nice. I like how you left the trim but changed the panel. Did you do the same on the inside?

 

[SCORPIO]

All the "fake wood" panels are a material Sea Ray called "Decraguard" its basically a wood grain pattern over plywood. Put a sander to it and that grain dissapears in a flash. I like the idea of painting the plywood and finishing the teak trim in Cetol or varnish. Use a good quality marine paint and you will get good results.

 

[BillyT0020]

I just finished this same project on the cabin door and wood under the helm. A couple of coats of spray primer goes a long way on the fake wood. Then I used an exterior semi gloss paint, two coats and redid the trim with sikkens to match the rest of the boat. Really dresses up the outside of the boat for a very cheap upgrade and modernization. Don't try to take the trim off the cabin door, best to sand it, then tape it, paint the fake wood and then stain the teak. If you try to take it off I doubt you would be able to get it back on tight as it is.

My .02

 

[ghuskin]

MoDean,

Looks good!

Gregg

 

[CAGE RATTLER]

I just finished this same project on the cabin door and wood under the helm. A couple of coats of spray primer goes a long way on the fake wood. Then I used an exterior semi gloss paint, two coats and redid the trim with sikkens to match the rest of the boat. Really dresses up the outside of the boat for a very cheap upgrade and modernization. Don't try to take the trim off the cabin door, best to sand it, then tape it, paint the fake wood and then stain the teak. If you try to take it off I doubt you would be able to get it back on tight as it is.

My .02

Thanks for the tips.

Did you use a spray can, roller or brush for the white??
Im thinkin tape it off good, trim the edges with a brush then finish with a small roller to get a good smoothe finish.

 

[BillyT0020]

Thanks for the tips.

Did you use a spray can, roller or brush for the white??
Im thinkin tape it off good, trim the edges with a brush then finish with a small roller to get a good smoothe finish.

You got it. I sanded the trim on the door, then taped it off. Used primer out of a spray can, two coats, and then used a foam roller for the semi gloss paint. Took the tape off after three light coats taped off the paint, then did the teak with a sponge brush.