I'm thinking about replacing the counter tops in Sol. Has anyone taken off the fiddles and handrail? How are they attached ? Any helpful hints before I start tearing thing up again.
Thanks,
Len
Len,
Once the wood trim is removed the existing formica is just held down by contact cement. Because of its age, the adhesive should be old enough to gently pull up the old formica in one piece. Start at one corner with a putty knife as a wedge and gently lift the sheet.
If the sheet doesn't come up easily, try a heat gun to the top of the formica. Heat tends to soften the adhesive. If all else fails you are looking as small pieces using a putty knife and perhaps a wood chisel. Take care not to damage the wood underneath.
Good luck...
Dale
The fiddles and hand rails are held on with wood screws that are marked by the plugs that cover them. Carefully drill out the plugs to expose the heads of the screws, then remove the screws. You will have to replug them when you put them back on, but this would be a good time to refinish them anyways.
Cheers!
Wayne
What are you refinishing with? I have lived aboard for 6.5 years and have had dreams of refinishing with things like copper sheet, marble tiles, or possibly the plastic that looks like marble. I really think that black marble floor tiles would look slick, and I might have done it if I had a friend with a tile saw. The weight wouldn't be more than 30 lbs. Thoughts anyone?
Mike
Pearson 367 Tardis
I'm going with large 24X24 floor tiles. I hope to keep the grout lines to as few as possible. Reworking the refer lids so they can be locked down.
Len
Leo,
Now that is an ambitious project. I am assuming that the tile is at least 3/8" thick, how are you going to deal with the drastic difference in thickness between that of the Formica?
Dale
I don't think the height will be much of an issue. I will need to raise an ac outlet and maybe the 3 way battery switch but it should be OK. I have a junction box of sorts on the aft bulkhead that will need modified. I'm trimming the outside edge where the fiddles are with mahogany so that will raise them up the 7/16 to 1/2 inch I need. Oh and the storage slot for the stove top cover will need reworked for the additional thickness of the cover.
So I'm I missing something??
Thanks,
Len
Len,
As long as you have a plan to compensate for the additional thickness of the tile you should be OK. I hadn't even thought of the stove top cover.
Dale
counters are done! The new sink is great, same as the old one minus dents. And the price was right at little over $100 for it from a restaurant supply company versus a $700 marine store sink.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewvz76s8gt2y0jd/P1012240.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7pyd29hq1ceguhc/P1012243.JPG
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l8avs6cnvexruxm/P1012245.JPG
What an excellent job! The boat looks great, I suspect even better in person. Nice work... what's next?
Dale
Leo,
The galley counter tops look GREAT!!! I really like the way you modified the lids/doors for the ice box.
Very nice...
Garner
Thanks for the compliments, the tile actually looks better than the pictures show and the flaws in my workmanship aren't as visible, it turned out good not the perfect work of art I had envisioned but not bad.
When they installed the fiddles it looked like they filled the holes with glue then placed the bung. So removing them was a pain. I spent 6 o 7 hours with an impact driver and small picks trying to remove the screws without damaging the fiddles. In the end I replaced all of the fiddles. The grab handle was the only reused piece of wood.
Next on the list? Maybe seal up the sump, make the cockpit locker more water tight if possible, rearrange my bow roller to accept my new anchor, install a remote mike at the helm, and get her ready for the move to the San Juan's.
That was indeed a beautiful job. I found a friend with a tile saw. I might be next, but I doubt my workmanship will compare. However I really love the way you minimized the grout lines with the 2' tile.
Mike Sytsma
Pearson 367 #26
Boracay Star
On my near-term todo list:
Finish plumbing 2 replaced fuel tanks so I can use both (currently running on one)
Stiffen bimini and install mounts for 2x120W solar panels on top
Replace 2x outer chainplates
Bow washdown pump
Rename the boat with the USCG. S/V Tardis soon...