How to Refinish a Cabin Sole

The cabin sole is the nautical name for the floor of the cabin in a sailboat. These floors are usually made from teak or another fairly water-resistant wood, which is then sealed and coated with a water repellent. Just like other hardwood flooring, a cabin sole can become weathered and scuffed with age and needs to be refinished. The cramped quarters makes this task more difficult and, at times, more dangerous than a typical refinishing project.

Things You'll Need

  • Broom
  • Vacuum with hose attachment and brush
  • Dust mask or respirator
  • Belt sander
  • Rotary sander
  • 35-grit sandpaper
  • 50-grit sandpaper
  • 80-grit sandpaper
  • 100-grit sandpaper
  • 150-grit sandpaper
  • Paint roller with extendable handle
  • Wood conditioner
  • Wood sealant
  • Water repellent
  • Fan
  • Buffer
  • Buffing pad
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dry-dock the sailboat. Working on the flooring of a sailboat while constantly being shifted around by waves is dangerous and will result in an inconsistent finish on the sole.

    • 2

      Clear out the interior of the cabin and sweep and vacuum it to prepare for the sanding process.

    • 3

      Put on a dust mask or respirator before beginning to sand the cabin sole.

    • 4

      Sand the interior of the cabin with a belt sander equipped with 35-grit sandpaper. Make sure this pass is done with the grain of the wood.

    • 5

      Vacuum the area and sand again. This time use 50-grit sandpaper. Again sand with the grain.

    • 6

      Vacuum the cabin again and sand with 80-grit sandpaper. Make the initial pass across the grain this time. Then sand with the grain on a second pass.

    • 7

      Vacuum the cabin and sand the sole with 100-grit sandpaper. Vacuum the area.

    • 8

      Switch to the rotary sander and get any areas that could not be reached with the belt sander. Use 100-grit sandpaper. Also use the rotary sander to remove any scuffs not taken out by the belt sander.

    • 9

      Vacuum the cabin and prepare to lay down the wood conditioner.

    • 10

      Place a fan in the doorway of the cabin so the the airflow pulls air from the cabin and sends it out into the open air. Turn the fan on "high."

    • 11

      Apply the wood conditioner with a long-handled paint roller. Let it sit for four hours or until dry to the touch. In humid conditions, this could take up to 24 hours.

    • 12

      Sand the area with 150-grit sandpaper (use the belt sander). Vacuum the area before proceeding.

    • 13

      Apply the wood sealant in the same manner as the conditioner.

    • 14

      Sand the sealant-covered wood with 150-grit sandpaper and vacuum.

    • 15

      Apply three coats of water repellent with the roller brush. Sand the floor with 150-grit sandpaper and vacuum between coats to create a better surface for the repellent to adhere to.

    • 16

      Buff the sole with a buffing pad.