Removing cabin interior and just paint/gel coating it. Any reason not to?
 

Hi folks. We have a older 26' Profile and the cabin interior is pretty plain with just a headliner, carpet down the sides and some benches.. It's in dire need of being replaced as it's ugly at the moment.

Given that as well as we don't overnight in it, I'm considering just stripping it out and just finishing it out with either gelcoat or paint so I can easily wipe it down. Are there any tips or horror stories that I should be aware of that would make me want to change my mind? I've painted boats as well as gel coated so I'm not a compete rookie but that's been on smaller boats and not something inside like a cabin.

Thanks for any tips or advice......john

never done the cabin area, but done several engine rooms, where the had carpet glued to the walls, removed it sanded the hell out of it and painted with rustoleum(several threads on this) and looks killer...

Thanks so much bud. I'll search the Rustoleum threads. Thanks again......john

John, you can pick up the cans of Rustoleum at most hardware stores. Might be easier to just apply it with a roller and brush in those areas after sanding it reasonably smooth. You can buy outdoor implement paint at Tractor Supply and use it with a hardener to promote faster drying. Just make sure you wear some type of respirator in an enclosed space like a cabin.

Thanks for the tips. Good tip on the respirator. Definatley will do that as well as get a fan in the with the hatch open for ventilation. Not worth getting myself sick. Getting all the carpet glue off likely won't be any fun either. :-)

I have always brushed or rolled the stuff flows out great, need to be well vented inside the cabin though...

I hope you like to sand, cause there will be a lot of that to make it ready for paint

Thanks again Striper, I've sprayed it before after I thinned it with acetone and it is durable as hell. Don't know why I never thought of it in the cabin but it's great to hear that it's flows out well when brushed.

Hah! No doubt about it, it will be a pain in the butt just getting the carpet glue off not to mention sanding.

Wouldn`t that make the boat quite a bit harder to sell later?

I like the idea but I'd keep the head. If you ever did want to overnight you'd just need a roll of foam padding and a bag of sheets, blankets and pillows.