Finish Materials, Panels, Techniques

I've never known how to finish interiors from scratch.

Take a look at this rv build. Look at how the interior came out... a lot like a quality, production boat.







Home Depot and Lowes don't have these things.

These are finish panels and veneers with matching trim.

I need to do an entire interior and I'm tired of my interiors looking cheap and home made.

Where can I find these types of materials to build my interior from??

What techniques are there for doing trim that vanishes? Making hard, square edges look seamless? Ways to do this type of modern construction without adding a lot of weight?

 

And while we're at it, souces for door hardware for 1/2" thick doors?

Locks, handles, etc?

 

I've noticed everyone here knows a lot about rough construction. About epoxy, glass, fillers, hull forms. A wealth of knowledge.

However, when it comes to finishing boats, the knowledge trails off (as does mine).

Is that because few ever finish a build?

For the pros here, who does the sourcing and design of your interiors before the boat is sold?

Where does one find these materials?

 

There are many levels of finish on boats. A workboat can have a nice finish, similar to an RV. Yachts will have fine cabinetry, with materials to match. For example, yachts will have natural stone instead of laminate. Also, wood species will be exotic old growth instead of plantation teak or lauan. Small boats have odd shapes that can be incorporated in the design. When yachts get bigger in size, they are closer to home design, since the hull shape does not affect the interior spaces as much. There are many suppliers of high end hardware and plumbing. However, a shower head can set you back $18,000 or so.

 

Is that all high pressure laminate (Formica)? If it is, the big box stores sell this by the 4x8 sheet. I don't consider a Formica interior a high end finish, though it's neat and easy to clean and fairly easy to do well.

Production boat interiors are a sorted lot, but mostly built from relatively inexpensive and easy to install materials. In most cases, the liner is designed to form the majority and basis for the interior, so everything is gel coat. Toss in some wood, shiny metal or faux wood trim and you have it.

As for sourcing, this is done during the development stage, as vendors and suppliers are lined up, to accommodate the projected production run.

1/2" concealed hinges will be difficult, given most use 3/4" stiles on doors. 1/2" and 3/8" offset or inset hinges are available. Door pulls are easy enough, maybe requiring you cut the fastener down, so it doesn't bottom in the pull. Locks (keyed) are also available with fairly short barrels, though latches might prove troublesome.

Depending on how many you need, I often find I'm making them.






You can go nuts looking for stuff or spend a day, jigging up to make a few dozen or so bits and pieces and do them up yourself.

 

Laminates for counter tops are easy though I'm not much of a fan laminate top with laminate facing. Wood facing is a nice upgrade with little effort and only a small amount of forethought.

If you want a wood edge facing and top, you can lay your laminate, trim with a straight router bit and install the wood facing paying close attention to flushing up the top edge.

If you want the laminate to overlap the wood facing, install the face piece before applying the laminate. Again, make sure things are flush on the top edge before applying the laminate. The face can be left square, but I think this is barely better than doing a laminate face. Throw a radius on the lower edge and a partial radius (radius bit set shallow) on the upper to break the corner and you have a nice finished edge that isn't going to cut if you stumble against it.

Here is a link to some images. Scroll down to see them.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/fi...t-building/galley-worktop-material-48262.html


Take some time and spend a few extra bucks and you can get a good quality laminate that won't look dated in a few years.

A link to some details of Paul's hardware.

www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-buil...hey-dont-fly-open-while-underway-49539-2.html