bulletproof sole

[davidatlantic]

Hi!
On to planning this winter's work. I've stripped and sanded the salon sole in my old Egg and now I http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p61fbcf2bb54fc0fd60625b1650476b76/fb787784.jpg need to apply a finish that will be beautiful and glossy, but need little maintainence as I dislike doing the same thing twice while there is other stuff to be done.
So: the sole is teak, sanded for the first time by me this summer as it had been covered by carpet(!) for many, many years. It is caulked with an unknown black caulk that will be touched up and it is not exposed to much water, fresh or salt.

1) CPES + West + varnish
or
2) west + varnish
or
3) Lacquer sanding sealer + polyurathane enamel

What do boatbuilders use these days on the fancy teak and holly soles that makes them look like a skating rink? I'm not sure I want to go quite that far as it would make all the other wood in the boat look like it needs another ten coats of varnish, but it would be good to know in case we have a mild winter and I find myself with a short to-do list!

[JimD]

Nice sole by the way! Well, if you want shiny and bullet proof epoxy topcoated with two part polyurethane would be the hardest and shiniest I can think of.

[Concordia..41]

At least two of the larger production boat companies use Minwax (one-part) polyurathane straight out of the can. DAMHIKT :rolleyes:

[davidatlantic]

Hi!
Are there issues with needing to provide UV protection for the epoxy in a nominally interior, but very sunny space such as this?
Would any of the polyurathanes have such UV protection built in?

[JimD]

Originally posted by davidatlantic:
Hi!
Are there issues with needing to provide UV protection for the epoxy in a nominally interior, but very sunny space such as this?
Would any of the polyurathanes have such UV protection built in?Supposedly all the polyurethanes offer varying uv protection which is one of the reasons they have become popular as topcoats over epoxy.

[Banjo]

Is a super glossy hard finish wise on the floor of a rolling pitching vessel?

What about a nice oiled satin finish?

Up to you of course but it worries me that someone might slip on a glossy floor if they have wet feet.

[Gresham CA]

Banjo, I had the same concerns about the sole in my boat but they haven't come to pass. 2 coats thinned Captains Varnish and 2 coats unthinned. It seems pretty durable to me.

[cbob]

David, Installed new cabin sole floorboards with the teak and holly faced marine ply about ten years ago, inside sailboat with windows that let in a lot of sun, for a sailboat. Local woodenboat boatyard people recommended sealing with a product callrd Deft, Oakland California I think, and overcoating with an Interior Verathane semi gloss. Discussed the finish part of this project with the factory reps. for product selection, application directions, etc. and am very satisfied with results. The interior product protects against spills like what you get inside, and the semi gloss for skid protection. Have had no U.V. degredation but it has a few nicks from dropped tools which darken up when wet. The difference I see here is what would happen in way of the seams with time? Checking with the product manufacturers has almost allways been a help when unsure. Good Luck, cbob