Refinishing the swim platform

Since the new wheel assemblies for our sliding glass door didn't arrive as expected ("Oh, there must have been a computer problem with your order, Mr. Large"), we decided to use this first real day of spring to refinish our swim platform. This has been on the list for some time so since the weather was in the mid-60s on Sunday, we went at it.

We had assembled all the stuff we needed: some 80-grit sandpaper, sanding blocks and, of course, Sikkens Cetol Marine Light.

Actually, even after five years, the swim platform didn't look that bad but was showing some wear around the starboard corner where it sometimes rubs against the dock or the fender we keep tied up there.

We didn't want to attack the swim platform with a belt sander. The was a refresh that needed only hand sanding.

We sanded out all those neat little grooves first with a thin sanding block and then got to all the wider surfaces. Two hours later, we sucked up the sanding dust with our Shop-Vac and then cleaned up with denatured alcohol.

The first coat of Sikkens went on fine. It will be followed by three more over the next two weeks.

The good old Connecticut River is up quite a way but nothing out of the ordinary. Give it a few weeks and we will be cruising again.