Paint it white

[skylark]

I have a teak bulkhead in the cabin and head.  Its pretty dark.  I am thinking that white would be nicer but I can't bring myself to paint over the teak plywood.

What say ye?

[oded kishony]

I wouldn't have the heart to do it either  :-[

~OK

[AdriftAtSea]

It would be a shame to paint over the teak...

[Godot]

Painting teak is easy.  Unpainting teak if you don't like the results is hard.  But I like a bright interior myself (with wood trim).

Have you considered running down to home depot and picking up a sheet of formica laminate?  I don't believe it is that expensive.  Cut out a sheet to size, and tack it temporarily against your teak plywood.  If you like it you have a durable, easy to clean surface.  If you don't like it pull it off and throw it in the dumpster.  Just a thought.

[maxiSwede]

Such a brilliant idea, Adam. I, too, definetely shrivers on the thought of permanently painting a beatiful teak interior. On the other hand, If I were to build a boat - or a new interior-  from scratch, I would definetely go for white or at least light colors with some trim in teak or mahogany or some substitute of it.

Especially if one is going to use the boat all year round, and in higher lat´s during the darker months of the year, the light interior would make more sense.

[AdriftAtSea]

I like the idea of putting laminate over it...but wouldn't use contact cement...probably screw the laminate down after attaching it to very thin plywood backing... then if you want to go back to the teak, all you have to do is patch a few screw holes...

[Captain Smollett]

I like the idea of putting laminate over it...but wouldn't use contact cement...probably screw the laminate down after attaching it to very thin plywood backing... then if you want to go back to the teak, all you have to do is patch a few screw holes...

Who said anything about contact cement?  ::)

/url]
Cut out a sheet to size, and tack it temporarily against your teak plywood.

Sounds pretty much like what you described, but perhaps with tacks rather than screws.   ???

[AdriftAtSea]

I like the idea of putting laminate over it...but wouldn't use contact cement...probably screw the laminate down after attaching it to very thin plywood backing... then if you want to go back to the teak, all you have to do is patch a few screw holes...

Who said anything about contact cement?  ::)

/url]
Cut out a sheet to size, and tack it temporarily against your teak plywood.

I was just clarifying that the attachment method, if they choose to go with the laminate overlay, should be screws, and not the traditional contact cement... which would be a nightmare to remove. 
Sounds pretty much like what you described, but perhaps with tacks rather than screws.   ???

[Godot]

When I said "tack" I was referring to a non permanent mechanical fastening.  Nails, staples, screws, or maybe even tacks (if you can get some that have a strong enough and long enough pointy part).  It's a term I picked up somewhere in my distant past.  I thought it was commonly understood; but maybe my english is some weird variant.  You know, kinda like the brits use (where did they learn their english???   ???:) ;D)

In any case, I don't think you need to add plywood to the back of the laminate as you already have the teak ply which I would think would be enough so long as you attached the laminate with enough fasteners.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Why not paint or laminate the Table, so it breaks up the dark brown. and also maybe a new picture (and frame!).

[s/v Faith]

What say ye?

  FWIW,

I think the teak looks beautiful.  :)

  But that is not what you asked.  ;D

  I am glad I have white laminate on my interior.  Despite the fact they they could be ordered with different patterns, many Ariels came from the factory with a woodgrain laminate that is not as favored today as it apparently was then.

  I wonder if you might be able to find a middle ground?  For instance cutting some white laminate to fit over the edge of the sink basin, and the top of the 'shelf' next to it?  Maybe hanging something on the bulkhead in the saloon?

  Go to the gallery and take a look at Zen's boat.  He and lady Zen have really done some creative things that you might be able to 'borrow' to get some more light colors into the mix.

[AdriftAtSea]

When I said "tack" I was referring to a non permanent mechanical fastening.  Nails, staples, screws, or maybe even tacks (if you can get some that have a strong enough and long enough pointy part).  It's a term I picked up somewhere in my distant past.  I thought it was commonly understood; but maybe my english is some weird variant.  You know, kinda like the brits use (where did they learn their english???   ???:) ;D)

In any case, I don't think you need to add plywood to the back of the laminate as you already have the teak ply which I would think would be enough so long as you attached the laminate with enough fasteners.

I would use a thin backing of plywood, as that will allow you to minimize the number of screws you need to use, and the number of holes you have to patch—should you decide to remove it....

[Oyster]

The first step is to pickle it with a fairly beige or white color enamel paint on a sheet of facimile is at all possible. The gauge your look accordingly. You can actually do it on woodgrain formica. You can also tone the pickle down with a coat of varnish, usually satin over the top of it making it a rich look, IMHO. You can also clean up the trim with the satin varnish leaving the constrast in the beginning. Take baby steps in this case. Maybe if you have a locker, do a test area too.