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YUANQING MODELS 1:50 Scale SAN Felipe Build Log.

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⭐️ SAN FELIPE 1:50 BUILD – BACK TO THE TIMBER! ⭐

After 6–7 solid weeks of living and breathing rigging on my Mantua HMS Victory — and finally getting her completed and proudly displayed — I honestly felt like giving my eyes and fingers a break from knots for a while.

So… I grabbed something big off the shelf that’s been quietly staring at me for ages.

Back to the YUANQING MODELS 1:50 SAN FELIPE!

This ship is an absolute BEAST in 1:50 scale. Photos don’t do justice to how big this hull actually is — it takes up my whole bench and then some. And honestly… it’s been sitting half-done for way too long.

The past few days, I’ve been buried in timber, dust, and clamps, and to be honest it felt great to switch gears.



PROGRESS SO FAR

• Hull Planking Marathon

Most of my time has gone into finishing the hull planking. This kit is no walk in the park — there are a lot of planks and the curves on the San Felipe are brutal in some areas.

But I’ve pushed through: bending, soaking, trimming, and shaping every plank to get the lines flowing right.

You’ll see in the photos:

• Tons of rough shaping

• Filler work to smooth out transitions

• Correcting dips and highs

• Fairing the bow and stern

• Tightening up the gunport framing

It’s getting there and starting to look like a proper warship now.

• Internal Supports & Shaping

I also added more structural support around the upper hull areas. Because of the size of this thing, the kit really benefits from extra reinforcement — especially without instructions.


• Bow & Stern Shaping

The stern is HUGE on this ship. I’ve been working on the galleries, fairing the layers, and starting to prep the surfaces ready for the decorative work later on.

The bow needed a mountain of shaping and filler, but it’s finally smoothing into that proper San Felipe curve.



CHALLENGES WITH THIS KIT

This YQ Models San Felipe isn’t what I’d call “beginner-friendly”:

No Instructions — No CD — Nothing.

When I bought the kit, it arrived with:

• No written instructions

• No CD (the kit is supposed to include one…)

• Just the plans.

So every step is basically detective work… comparing drawings, checking reference images, and sometimes just having to trust experience and commit.

Missing Parts

The icing on the cake — several parts were missing completely.

So I’ve been:

• Designing and cutting replacements

• Fabricating my own substructures

• Re-working areas the plans weren’t clear about

Honestly? It’s been frustrating at times, but also kind of satisfying making components myself.

It makes the build more personal — more “mine.”







WHAT’S NEXT?

Over the next few days and weeks I’ll be:

• Finishing the last areas of hull fairing

• Prepping for the second planking layer

• Cleaning up every gunport

• Shaping the stern galleries properly

• Starting to plan the deck layouts

• And eventually working toward that iconic decorative detailing the San Felipe is famous for

This ship has a long road ahead — but it feels good to finally have it back on the bench after ignoring it for so long.

Timber work is honestly therapeutic after weeks of tiny knots and lines.







⚓️ Wrapping Up

It’s big, it’s challenging, and half the parts are missing — but I’m loving the process again.

The San Felipe deserves to be finished, and now that Victory is complete, I’m excited to bring this monster back to life.

More updates coming as she takes shape!

Let me know what you think so far


— Phil

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Back on the 1:50 scale SAN Felipe build today, and I finally tackled the big job I’ve been putting off… sanding the entire hull after completing the first layer of planking.

This stage always looks rough before it looks good — gaps, glue marks, high/low spots — the lot. But that’s the reality of first planking on a ship this size. The goal now is to get it all smoothed out and shaped properly before I move on to the second layer.

I started hand sanding like I normally do… and honestly, after about 2 minutes I remembered exactly why I hate doing it by hand on large hulls. Way too slow, way too much effort, and not consistent enough on these curves.

So I grabbed the tools that actually make the job enjoyable — my Milwaukee gear.

Milwaukee Tools I Used

• Milwaukee 12V Oscillating Tool
This little beast comes with a sanding attachment, and it’s perfect for knocking down the high spots quickly. It gets into the curves, it’s controlled, and it doesn’t tear into the wood like a bigger tool would. Great for the bow and stern where everything twists and bends.

• Milwaukee Detail Orbital Sander
Once the rough shaping was done, out came the Milwaukee detail sander. This thing leaves such a clean finish, especially on long runs along the hull. It smooths everything evenly and gives you that perfect transition from one plank to the next. You can actually feel the hull starting to take its proper form.

Why There’s Wood Putty on the Hull

You’ll notice in the photos that some areas are coated in wood putty.
That’s intentional — and there’s a good reason for it.

The section of the hull I’m sanding now is going to be painted white later on. The putty helps fill any gaps between the planks, evens out irregularities, and gives me a perfectly smooth surface for painting. No point leaving natural timber finish under paint — so this step helps me get a clean, crisp hull once the colour goes on.

Progress So Far

You’ll see in the photos the transformation — from rough planks with filler and uneven spots, to a much more uniform, blended surface.
The bow and stern needed the most work, especially around the gunport areas and those tricky compound curves. But it’s coming up beautifully.

Still a bit more fine sanding to go, but I’m really happy with how it’s shaping up.
This SAN Felipe is a big ship at 1:50 scale, and smoothing the hull properly now is going to make the second layer absolutely shine.

Loving the build again — and loving the Milwaukee tools even more.

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Custom Stand Build for My 1:50 SAN Felipe – Scroll Saw to the Rescue!


Over the past couple of days I finally tackled something that’s been on my mind since recommencing the SAN Felipe build — a proper, stable, purpose-shaped stand.


The hull on this model is huge and has a very specific curve, so rather than using the generic cradle that comes with most kits, I decided to build one that contours the hull perfectly.


And this is where having a scroll saw becomes one of the best tools in the shed!



Designing the Stand

I started by taking measurements directly off the hull and sketching out a rough profile for the cradle supports.

Because the sides of the SAN Felipe aren’t symmetrical along their length, I shaped the curves by eye and by testing against the hull repeatedly. This ensured the stand sits:
  • perfectly centred
  • evenly balanced
  • and supports the keel line without pressure points

The notch in the centre of each support is deliberate — it acts as a reference point to keep the hull aligned while I test-fit everything.


Cutting the Panels

Once I was happy with the sketch, I traced it onto a sheet of 3-layer ply.

This is where the scroll saw shines — it cuts tight curves cleanly and controllably.

Each side piece needed to be identical, so I clamped several sheets together and cut them as one pack. After sanding the edges flush, all four supports matched perfectly.



Assembly

I built a full rectangular frame to connect all four supports:
  • side rails cut to exact length
  • slots cut into each support for a tight, locked-in joint
  • reinforced with PVA glue
  • checked everything square before the glue set

The first fitting onto the hull was spot-on — the stand hugged the shape evenly on all sides.



Refining & Strengthening


After the dry fit, I glued everything permanently and filled any minor gaps with wood filler.

A bit of sanding later, the stand sat on the bench perfectly level.

From there, I tested it again on the hull — even with the weight of a fully planked 1:50 SAN Felipe, the cradle holds rock solid.


Painting (Final Touch)

Once I confirmed the shape and strength were correct, I coated the entire stand with black paint.

This really tidied it up and gave it a professional finish.

It also contrasts beautifully against the natural timber of the hull.



Final Fit on the Model

Once the hull went onto the painted stand, the whole setup transformed.


The cradle now:
  • supports the hull exactly where it should
  • distributes the weight evenly
  • stops any rocking or rolling
  • and looks fantastic on the bench
This is especially important for a long-term project like the SAN Felipe — with planking, sanding, and deck construction still underway, I wanted something secure that I can rely on throughout the whole build.


Overall Thoughts

Honestly, this little side project was worth every minute.

A good stand makes working on these big ships so much easier and safer.

The scroll saw made shaping the supports simple, and the result looks and feels far better than the generic kit cradle.

Now the SAN Felipe sits proudly and securely while I continue the build!

If anyone’s building a large model ship — especially something as heavy as a 1:50 — I highly recommend making your own stand. It makes a world of difference.

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Early Morning Sunrise… and Straight Into More Deck Planking on the SAN Felipe

Up early this morning — not intentionally for modelling, but because the sky absolutely lit up.

One of those proper Queensland sunrises where the whole sky catches fire. Deep oranges, golds, soft blues behind it… I just stood there for a few minutes taking it in. A good peaceful start before diving back into the SAN Felipe.

With that little boost of motivation, I went straight into today’s job: more deck planking on this massive 1:50 SAN Felipe build.



A Bit About Where I’m Up To

Over the past few days I’ve really been pushing along on the internal decks. This model is huge at 1:50 scale, and because my kit arrived with no instructions and a few missing parts, everything has been a bit of a puzzle. I’m relying purely on the plans, reference photos, and common sense from previous ship builds.

Today’s focus was the raised deck section and continuing the long plank runs down the centreline. I’m using a staggered plank pattern, keeping the butt joints as realistic as possible and making sure everything flows cleanly from one bulkhead opening to the next.

The new shots show:

• The upper rear deck starting to take shape with darker toned planks.

• The mid-deck insert being dry-fitted and planked on the bench before final installation.

• The transition areas around the mast openings and hatch cutouts, which always take the longest because of all the micro-trimming.

• The lower deck underneath, which is now fully planked, sanded, and ready for detailing once the upper layers are complete.

It’s slow work, but really satisfying — especially when all the grains start lining up and the tones fall into place.



Challenges & Little Wins Today

• Lining up the planks over the step-down level required a fair bit of trimming and dry fitting.

• The mast hole area needed a few thin shims to bring the height perfect before planking.

• I had a few planks split when bending them around the gentle curves, so the kettle got a workout steaming them into shape.

• The grain variation between the lighter and darker strips is starting to give the deck a gorgeous character — exactly the look I’m chasing.

I’ve also been keeping the workspace clean between each stage, which strangely makes a huge difference when dealing with thousands of tiny wood strips.



What’s Next?

Next session will be:

• Finishing the full centreline section of planking.

• Starting the outer edges and trimming the hatch surrounds.

• Checking the deck level for the upper cabins before I commit to gluing down the mid-section permanently.

I’m really enjoying this build after weeks of heavy rigging on the Victory — it’s nice to switch back to timber-work for a while.

Hot coffee… beautiful sunrise… quiet morning… and a ship deck slowly taking shape.

Perfect start to the day.

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San Felipe 1:50 Scale Build – Major Progress on Deck Planking & Upper Works

G’day everyone,

Time for another big update on my YuanQing Models San Felipe 1:50 build. This kit has been sitting aside for a long time, and over the past couple of weeks I’ve really pushed forward—mainly because I’ve been itching to do some timber work again after all the rigging I’ve done on my HMS Victory and Sovereign of the Seas.

Deck Planking – Almost Fully Completed

I’m extremely happy to say the deck planking is now about 95% complete, and it’s finally starting to look like a proper First-Rate warship.

A few highlights:
• I’ve used the supplied 6mm timber strips and kept a strict pattern, including simulated treenails, staggered butt joints, and alternating tones of timber to give a proper aged look.
• Most of the inner bulkhead walls along the gun deck and quarterdeck have now also been planked to match the deck finish, so the ship no longer looks like exposed plywood inside.
• The step-downs between decks have been boxed in, planked, and sanded flush for eventual installation of the upper deck railings/fencing.
• All openings for companionways, mast seats, and access hatches have been carefully trimmed so the laser-cut deck overlays (if any are used later) will sit neatly without gaps.

I spent a lot of time fairing areas where the bulkheads weren’t perfectly symmetrical—this kit is known for being a little “interpretive” in its fit—but the results so far look clean and tight.

Upper Deck Bulwarks & Fence Preparation

One of the biggest jobs this week was fitting the inner bulwark planking of the upper deck. These needed:
• lots of dry-fitting
• heat bending
• clamping in stages
• spot-gluing to prevent warping

The curves at the stern especially fought me the whole way, but patience paid off. The inner walls are now planked, sanded, and aligned, ready for the decorative fencing/railings that run around the edges of the quarterdeck and poop deck.

This brings me to the part I need advice on…



I’ve laid out all the laser-cut fence/rail pieces (as shown in the photos

At the moment I’m trying to determine:

1. Which long fence pieces belong on the quarterdeck vs poop deck?

The kit gives no instructions (my box arrived with just the plans and no DVD), so layout identification is a bit of detective work.

2. Do the darker walnut parts represent the external decorative railing or the internal support rails?

The reference photos online show both styles depending on which version people have built.

3. Some pieces have a combination of laser-engraved holes and decorative shapes — are these for the stanchions or the mounting of future ornate carvings?

I want to avoid installing the wrong pieces too early, in case the decorative metalwork won’t line up later.

4. The two boards with lots of cut-out curved shapes — are these the stern balcony fences or side-rail decorations?

If anyone has built this specific YuanQing 1:50 San Felipe kit, I’d really appreciate confirmation on the correct placement before I commit with glue.
This ship is heavily decorated later on, so early mistakes can create headaches down the track.



Work Remaining Before Moving Forward

Next steps on my bench:
• Finish planking the small remaining inner bulkhead sections
• Fit and final-sand the upper deck fence supports
• Test-fit the decorative laser-cut railing sections
• Start shaping the outer bulwarks in preparation for second planking
• Check alignment of all gun ports before committing to the ornamental frames
• Begin assembling the stern structure (which will need a LOT of patience)



Final Thoughts

This is definitely not the easiest kit—especially without instructions—but I’m absolutely loving the timber work. Every section finished makes the ship feel more solid, more “alive,” and closer to that classic glowing Spanish flagship look.

If anyone has reference photos, part numbering guidance, or advice about the correct railing sequence, I’d be extremely grateful. Before I proceed, I want to make sure I’m installing the fencing correctly so it aligns with the decorative metal parts later on.

Thanks for following along with the build. More updates soon, and feel free to chime in with suggestions!

— Phil
San Felipe 1:50 – Deck Planking Phase

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SAN Felipe 1:50 Scale – Stern Planking Progress Update

I’ve spent the last couple of days pushing ahead on the stern section of my YUANQING Models SAN Felipe 1:50 build, and I’m very happy with how this stage is shaping up. The rear of the ship is always one of the most visually striking areas of the SAN Felipe, so I’ve been taking my time to make sure the foundation work is clean, straight, and ready for the decorative elements later on.



Rear Deck Planking Almost Complete

I’ve now finished planking almost the entire upper rear deck — only one final section left before I can move on to the exciting part: building up the stern galleries and applying all the decorations.

The curvature around the stern meant a lot of careful trimming and shaping of each plank. Because the SAN Felipe’s stern has such pronounced contours, the planking needs to do more than just lie flat — it has to flow with the shape of the hull. I’ve been dry-fitting every piece, shaving and test-bending where needed, and the fit has come together beautifully.

You can see in the photos how I extended the planking well past the edge before trimming it flush. I always prefer this method; it guarantees a perfectly clean edge and avoids gaps where the deck meets the bulkhead structure.


Stern Bulkhead Planking Completed

I’ve also finished lining the stern bulkhead with vertical planking. This completely changes the look of the rear and gives it that rich wooden texture these ships are known for. The curves around the top profile were a bit of a challenge — each strip needed slight tapering to maintain even spacing. But once glued and lightly sanded, the lines blended in perfectly.

It’s satisfying to see how much cleaner and more “ship-like” the stern now looks compared to the raw plywood skeleton it started as.

Preparing for the Stern Decorations

I’ve laid out the resin decorative pieces to start visualising where everything goes once the planking is done. This kit doesn’t come with instructions, so everything requires cross-checking against available reference photos and plans. The SAN Felipe stern is absolutely loaded with carvings, scrolls, and architectural trim, so getting the base structure neat is crucial before moving on to that stage.

With only one small section of deck left to plank, I’ll soon begin marking the placement of the stern windows, decorative scrolls, and the large feature panels.


Upcoming Steps

Once the final deck section is complete:

• Sand and seal all stern planking

• Begin shaping the stern balcony edges

• Install the lower decorative trim pieces

• Start work on the main stern gallery structure

• Begin test-fitting the large ornamental scrollwork

• Double-check alignment of all stern levels before committing glue

The stern is one of the defining features of the SAN Felipe, so I’m taking extra care here — especially since this kit arrived with missing parts and no instructions. It’s been a rewarding challenge working purely off the plans and my own interpretation.

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By the end of next week, I'm just going to do the planchette. I figured out the details. It's really not immediately clear, even with the instructions. In my topic, when I start work, I will try to show in more detail in the photo what and how, but I will have to wait about a week.
 
Choosing the Correct Blue for My 1:50 SAN FELIPE – Need Opinions

I’m at the stage now on my 1:50 scale SAN Felipe where I need to lock in the final colour scheme for the blue sections of the hull and stern. I originally went with the darker Liquitex Cobalt Blue Hue, which you can see on the lower hull in the photos. It’s a strong, deep colour and definitely gives the ship a bold presence… but now I’m wondering if it might actually be too dark for this build.

According to the plans, the recommended colour is “Azzurro Blue,” which historically sits on the lighter, brighter side of the spectrum. It’s closer to a light sky-blue rather than a deep navy tone. To get a feel for what that might look like, I mixed up a lighter blue and tested it on the upper stern section (pictured). I have to admit… the lighter shade gives the model a very different character. It’s more vibrant, more in line with baroque Spanish ornamentation, and it contrasts beautifully with the timber and upcoming gold detailing.

While I was at Spotlight, I also spotted another Liquitex Basics blue that’s even closer again to that traditional Azzurro tone—somewhere between sky blue and a clear cerulean. So now I’m stuck between three options:


1. Cobalt Blue Hue (Darker Blue)

• Creates a rich, deep appearance

• Very bold on the hull

• Strong contrast with gold decorations

• But… might be too strong or overpowering

2. Cerulean Blue Hue (Medium Blue)

• Brighter, more Mediterranean look

• Historically feels closer to the Spanish colour palette

• Sits between dark and bright

• Might strike the perfect balance

3. My Custom-Mixed Light Blue (Azzurro-like)

• Closest match to what the plans specify

• Light, crisp, clean

• Looks great behind the stern decorations

• But maybe a little too light depending on the shadows and scale?

You can see in my stern test piece how the lighter blue interacts with the early gold ornament tests. The lighter shades really help the carved decorations pop. I’ve also started painting some of the ornate 3D printed and kit-supplied embellishments in gold, and the contrast against the lighter blue feels very classy and period-accurate.



What do you all think?

Has anyone built the SAN Felipe using the lighter Azzurro palette?

Did you find the lighter colours worked better once all the gold leaf/trim was applied?

Or should I stick with the darker cobalt, which admittedly looks very striking but might drift away from the intended historical feel?

I’m leaning toward following the plans and going lighter—but before I repaint the hull, I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, or even see photos of other completed builds using different blues.



Cheers,

Phil

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San Felipe 1:50 – Stern Colour Tests & Resin Ornament Prep Update

After a solid couple of sessions at the bench, I’ve taken another big step forward on my 1:50 scale San Felipe build. This week has been all about experimenting, testing colour schemes, and starting the long process of preparing the decorative elements that will eventually bring the stern to life.

Cerulean Blue Stern – First Base Coat

I decided to commit to a bold colour choice for the stern—Cerulean Blue.

At this stage it’s only the first base coat, so the shade is still very strong and flat. Absolutely nothing is permanently glued yet. I’m purely mocking things up to get a better sense of the overall look.


The stern galleries, upper bulwarks, and a portion of the upper hull sides have all received the initial blue layer. I’m really liking the overall direction, but I do plan to break up the blue with additional tones, shadowing, trim, and ornamentation so it blends more naturally with the timber and the gold details. Once the final layers go on, the blue won’t be nearly as overpowering as it appears now.


Deck Progress & Fit Testing

Alongside the paint tests, I’ve also dry-fitted the rear deck sections.

The planking work is coming together nicely, and the natural timber contrasts beautifully with the future gold and blue colours of the stern. Still a fair bit of shaping and trimming to do before I lock anything down, but this stage is all about making sure everything lines up perfectly before committing.


Preparing the Resin Ornaments

This kit comes with a massive number of decorative pieces, and since mine didn’t include instructions, it’s all trial-and-error and comparison with reference builds.


This week I:
  • Cleaned up the castings
  • Gave them a base coat of gold
  • Started testing how each piece might sit against the hull curves
  • Checked how the blue background works with various gold elements

The ornaments actually look fantastic with the blue underlay, but I’ll be weathering and washing the gold later to bring out depth and reduce the “newly forged” shine. These base coats are purely to visualise the overall colour harmony.


No Glue Yet – Still in Experiment Mode

I want to stress that nothing is glued down yet—not the windows, not the trim pieces, not the ornaments. Right now I’m simply playing with placements, angles, trimming, and colour combinations. Once I’m happy with the final layout, I’ll start permanently fixing everything into position.


What’s Next

  • Breaking up the flat blue with shadowing, detailing, and gradation
  • Finishing the fitting of the stern windows
  • Preparing the remaining ornaments
  • Cleaning and refining the edges of the stern structure
  • Adding the next layer of planking and trimming around the galleries

It’s still early days on the decorative side, but the ship is already starting to show hints of how impressive the stern is going to look once fully detailed.


Stay tuned—much more refinement and decoration to come!



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Good progress, the work is moving along nicely.
May I ask about the gold paint you used? Specifically, what type and what brand it is?

Thank you in advance
Thanks.

I used an artist’s quality acrylic paint from Jo Sonja’s called Lustrous Gold premium metallic paint.

You need to seal it after it’s dry with a clear that’s compatible with acrylic paints either satin or gloss, depending on what gloss level you want.

I used Rustoleum Satin Clear

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Early Morning Sunrise… and Straight Into More Deck Planking on the SAN Felipe

Up early this morning — not intentionally for modelling, but because the sky absolutely lit up.

One of those proper Queensland sunrises where the whole sky catches fire. Deep oranges, golds, soft blues behind it… I just stood there for a few minutes taking it in. A good peaceful start before diving back into the SAN Felipe.

With that little boost of motivation, I went straight into today’s job: more deck planking on this massive 1:50 SAN Felipe build.



A Bit About Where I’m Up To

Over the past few days I’ve really been pushing along on the internal decks. This model is huge at 1:50 scale, and because my kit arrived with no instructions and a few missing parts, everything has been a bit of a puzzle. I’m relying purely on the plans, reference photos, and common sense from previous ship builds.

Today’s focus was the raised deck section and continuing the long plank runs down the centreline. I’m using a staggered plank pattern, keeping the butt joints as realistic as possible and making sure everything flows cleanly from one bulkhead opening to the next.

The new shots show:

• The upper rear deck starting to take shape with darker toned planks.

• The mid-deck insert being dry-fitted and planked on the bench before final installation.

• The transition areas around the mast openings and hatch cutouts, which always take the longest because of all the micro-trimming.

• The lower deck underneath, which is now fully planked, sanded, and ready for detailing once the upper layers are complete.

It’s slow work, but really satisfying — especially when all the grains start lining up and the tones fall into place.



Challenges & Little Wins Today

• Lining up the planks over the step-down level required a fair bit of trimming and dry fitting.

• The mast hole area needed a few thin shims to bring the height perfect before planking.

• I had a few planks split when bending them around the gentle curves, so the kettle got a workout steaming them into shape.

• The grain variation between the lighter and darker strips is starting to give the deck a gorgeous character — exactly the look I’m chasing.

I’ve also been keeping the workspace clean between each stage, which strangely makes a huge difference when dealing with thousands of tiny wood strips.



What’s Next?

Next session will be:

• Finishing the full centreline section of planking.

• Starting the outer edges and trimming the hatch surrounds.

• Checking the deck level for the upper cabins before I commit to gluing down the mid-section permanently.

I’m really enjoying this build after weeks of heavy rigging on the Victory — it’s nice to switch back to timber-work for a while.

Hot coffee… beautiful sunrise… quiet morning… and a ship deck slowly taking shape.

Perfect start to the day.

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What finish did you use on the lower decks
 
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