Hatches - at what stage would you cut and fit?

Builder's Forum
1

For some reason - possibly because I watched videos showing it - I thought we cut and fitted the hatches aftter finishing (Paint/varnish etc.)

I am at the varnish stage myself - but I am starting to thing I should have cut the hatches sooner.

What are the thoughts about when to cut the hatches - should I go ahead and get them installed now or wait until after varnishing? 

It seems I spent a lot of time getting a loverly defect free smooth curved deck - only to now go and cut a hole in it - I may have been able to save time, resin and a lot of sanding earlier in the process. 

 

2

Hi Duncan, 

hatches are usually cut after the epoxy phase.  they will require epoxy work and epoxy will not bond to finishes like paint or varnish.   the hatch epoxy work will also need to be sanded prior to any finishes being applied.

so i would stop now before any more thoughts on finishes and get your hatches completed ...and then go on to paint and varnish.

h

  

3

Thanks

Hatches completed and now back to Varnishing.

(well - sanding sanding and sanding with a little varnishing inbetween)

DuncanB