- 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.
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