1964 Pearson Rhodes 41 Formica laminate

[Hillbillybuddha]

I guess, back in the early 60s, Formica was "all the rage" and considered fancy and space agey.

I love my Rhodes designed boat. Not only does she sail beautifully but, from the outside, in my opinion, she has the most elegant lines of any modern sailboat. (Kettenburg 41 might give her a run for her money if you can find one) But then you go below and it's just covered with the cheapest, dated, faded and stained fake wood laminate.

I'd really like to cover it. Even with a more modern peel and stick laminate. I don't trust paint to look much better and the rolls of peel n stick at Home Depot look like they were printed with a dot matrix printer. Almost a step down from wallpaper. But I don't need anything quite as nice as actual wood vaneer.

I was hoping someone had a suggestion. Thanks

[psk125]

New laminate might improve the look, but applying wood veneer would be about the same amount of work (though you'd have to finish the veneer with varnish or oil afterwards) and would definitely look the best. At least the Formica provides a flat surface to work with! Paint would be easier, and might still be able to achieve a clean "Hereshoff" look if you trimmed the edges with teak. There are also suppliers out there with better materials than HD.

[mlydon]

Vinyl shelf paper with wood pattern - I used some to ‘wrap’ my mast down below….looks like real wood.

Matt

[Hillbillybuddha]

Originally Posted by psk125

Paint would be easier, and might still be able to achieve a clean "Hereshoff" look if you trimmed the edges with teak.

I think I might try the paint. All the fiddles and drawers are real teak, so it might look good. I think I'll paint the head and decide if that's the direction I want to go.

[Mlp48]

The owner of a sistership covered the most visible view or area of that Formica with a teak veneer or teak ply and it made all the difference in the World. The boat went from "50's diner" to one much more elegant.

[Scubaseas]

Clean well, sand well prime with Kilz then paint with semigloss paint. Hang some framed charts and such if you like.

You can get some very nice veneered 5mm plywood that looks great with satin varnish and gloss trim. Sand and contact cement ply into place.

[Giro]

Believe it or not Mlydon is definitely on to something. I know it sounds bizarre, but I’ve seen some “real” looking vinyl that could not be more fake, but looks and wears extremely well.
I like the way you think, and good luck to you regardless of what you decide. When you finish the project, please send pictures!

[OBT]

As a primer, don't know the brand, there is a special primer for formica. very tenacious.
Light paint with real wood accents looks really nice IMHO.

Stay on the deep side of the buoys,

Thom

[sailor_ed]

Look into Daich Coatings products. We used their Spread Stone epoxy finish on our old laminate. It's been 3-4 years now and it still looks good and seems quite durable.



Fair winds, Ed

[jpendoley]

Big box stores carry sheets of 1/4" ply that are scored to resemble vertical beadboard. Prime, sand and paint and it makes a clean and aesthetically pleasing covering for formica laminated bulkheads. I painted mine white-satin not gloss-and trimmed with sapele. Makes a pretty, light and airy interior.