Q: have a mid-1980s express cruiser. The seat base looks like teak, but it's actually wood covered by some sort of laminate. It has bleached in the sun and now looks hazy. Can I restore this without a lot of work?
- Frank Wilson, South Euclid, OH

A: The hazy appearance is the result of micropitting from exposure to ultraviolet sunlight. Nothing will "restore" it to a new appearance. You should experiment with several different techniques to find the one that suites you best.

You may get some improvement by using a fiberglass color restoring process. Rubbing with mineral oil or Penetrol&38482; may bring back some of the old color. Oily products fill those pits, so what remains of the original color can show through. A paste wax can be used to seal the surface and prolong the restoration.

A less-easy, but longer-lasting "fix" is to paint the laminate a color to match or complement the boat. Fill any surface damage with polyester auto-body filler. Power sand the surface, working through the grits from 80 to  at least 220. Apply a coat of primer to prevent the color of the laminate from showing through the top coat. Use high-quality, marine-enamel paint for a long-lasting finish.

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