Best way to seal marine plywood

dluce91 · 30 January 2015, 13:46

I am reupholstering seats on a commercial rib and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on what to use to make sure marine plywood is properly sealed. Also, once sealed is it advisable to add any further protection? Varnish etc. Appearance is not important as no wood will be visible.

Thanks

Johnscubanut · 30 January 2015, 13:54

I would have thought normal Yacht varnish would do that?

jeffstevens763@g · 30 January 2015, 14:08

polyester resin?

nugent · 30 January 2015, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

polyester resin?

Resin is not water proof

Good varnish or gel wash

jeffstevens763@g · 30 January 2015, 14:26

nugent you learn something every day cheers

epoxy resin is but more expensive

Razorbill RIBs · 30 January 2015, 15:51

I've spent the last three days (and counting) in a heated tent in the shed epoxy coating the Robbins super elite ply deck all round (3 coats)... Expensive, but the best solution. As per previous post my understanding is that polyester isn't water tight and sticks to wood whereas epoxy is water tight and binds / soaks into wood

Nos4r2 · 30 January 2015, 16:21

My seat bases have 2 coats of Reactive Resins 'Timberseal PS' low viscosity epoxy on them.

Ribbed41Pleasure · 30 January 2015, 17:00

Why use Marine Ply? Had my seats done a year or so ago and the chap said why go to the bother of provoking the same issue (rotten seat bottoms) in the next few years using ply. He offered a plastic/acrylic type material which to my knowledge doesn't need sealing and will not rot. So far it has worked wonders.

jeffstevens763@g · 30 January 2015, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribbed41Pleasure

Why use Marine Ply? Had my seats done a year or so ago and the chap said why go to the bother of provoking the same issue (rotten seat bottoms) in the next few years using ply. He offered a plastic/acrylic type material which to my knowledge doesn't need sealing and will not rot. So far it has worked wonders.

That's right there was something on here recently composite boards for bunk trailers why use wood
Thinking about it when they make plywood Canadian canoes they stitch the ply together then epoxy & tape the seams then coat the lot with epoxy two coats

Peter_C · 30 January 2015, 18:06

Depending on strength needed an expanded plastic is also really light weight.

In less time than it would take to varnish them, a router and follower bit could turn out a whole new set.

dluce91 · 30 January 2015, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribbed41Pleasure

Why use Marine Ply? Had my seats done a year or so ago and the chap said why go to the bother of provoking the same issue (rotten seat bottoms) in the next few years using ply. He offered a plastic/acrylic type material which to my knowledge doesn't need sealing and will not rot. So far it has worked wonders.

Thanks for the advice, I've already got the wood cut but sure enough in a couple of years they'll need to be done again! Plastic maybe a great option next time.

Bigtalljv · 30 January 2015, 18:20

Epoxy is the way to go. That's what the guys who make plywood boats use. It's generally not UV stable so keep it out of the sun or you need to coat it with something else afterwards.

Jason

nugent · 30 January 2015, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribbed41Pleasure

Why use Marine Ply? Had my seats done a year or so ago and the chap said why go to the bother of provoking the same issue (rotten seat bottoms) in the next few years using ply. He offered a plastic/acrylic type material which to my knowledge doesn't need sealing and will not rot. So far it has worked wonders.

Pal foam. Or foamex Only real way to go dirt cheap also,,,,,,

I throw bigger sections away if an one ever wants to collect off cuts for doing so

C-NUMB · 31 January 2015, 03:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugent

Pal foam. Or foamex Only real way to go dirt cheap also,,,,,,

Is this the type of foamex You use? Order PVC Foamex Board Cut To Size In A Range Of Colours & Sizes

nugent · 31 January 2015, 07:31

[QUOTE="C-NUMB;665452"] Is this the type of foamex You use? Order PVC Foamex Board Cut To Size In A Range Of Colours & Sizes[/QUOTE

] Yes that's the gear I use 20mm normally will out live you trust me

God that's expensive we buy lots but 8x4sheet in 20 mm is only £75-00 to me

nugent · 31 January 2015, 07:33

Sorry it is 19mm

C-NUMB · 31 January 2015, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by nugent

Sorry it is 19mm

Thanks Nugent. For me totally new material, worth learning about it. Anything that last for long in marine applications is always interesting!

jeffstevens763@g · 31 January 2015, 18:08

[QUOTE=nugent;665457]

Quote:

Originally Posted by C-NUMB

Is this the type of foamex You use? Order PVC Foamex Board Cut To Size In A Range Of Colours & Sizes[/QUOTE

] Yes that's the gear I use 20mm normally will out live you trust me

God that's expensive we buy lots but 8x4sheet in 20 mm is only £75-00 to me

What's foamex like to work with say to make a dry box would you glue it together with sikaflex or marine flex or does a pvc glue work

Cheers

jeffstevens763@g · 02 February 2015, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dluce91

I am reupholstering seats on a commercial rib and was wondering if anyone could offer any advice on what to use to make sure marine plywood is properly sealed. Also, once sealed is it advisable to add any further protection? Varnish etc. Appearance is not important as no wood will be visible.

Thanks

found this supplier east coast resin supplies loads of info plywood repairs etc

cheers jeff

Dirk Diggler · 02 February 2015, 14:45

Foamex is great, I use it for side panels, seat panels etc, but it doesn't work in a load bearing situation. For seat bases than span an opening, I use this.. http://www.vetus.com/v-quipment/mate...m-x-12-mm.html

Amazing material, and can be glued, screwed, routered etc.