Plywood question

[ForceFed79]

Hi all, I need to re-do some items in my boat. I would like to redo the helm and the passenger side. I am thinking about just using 3/4 outdoor plywood and using epoxy to seal it up. I am just going to put carpet over it anyway so it doesnt' need to be fancy. My question is what brand of epoxy do you guys recommend? Will I have any problems with the carpet adhesive sticking to the epoxy? Is plywood normaly what the helm is made of originally? Sorry for so many newb questions. I am just trying to get everything in order when I start this project as soon as the weather gets somewhat nice....Thanks in advance

 

[onenomad]

Re: Plywood question

I have used epoxies from Maas, System 3, West System and Aeromarine. For me, they have all worked equally. For sealing wood surfaces, I think that whoever has the best price wins my business. John Greer (San Diego, Ca) is the distributer for Aeromarine and can be contacted directly at jgreer.com. He has a good website, super pricing and is very helpful. That might depend on where you are located, though. My experiences, anyway. Best of luck on your project. If you need more info, PM me.
Gerry

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Plywood question

Hi all, I need to re-do some items in my boat. I would like to redo the helm and the passenger side. I am thinking about just using 3/4 outdoor plywood and using epoxy to seal it up. I am just going to put carpet over it anyway so it doesnt' need to be fancy. My question is what brand of epoxy do you guys recommend? Will I have any problems with the carpet adhesive sticking to the epoxy? Is plywood normaly what the helm is made of originally? Sorry for so many newb questions. I am just trying to get everything in order when I start this project as soon as the weather gets somewhat nice....Thanks in advance

I'm sure you'll get other replies saying similar things, but I'll start off. First, check the search box on this board for lots of threads on plywood types and uses. Summary: If you seal the ply, it'll outlast you.

Second, most people here won't recommend carpet because it tends to trap water in a boat, exactly where you don't want it.

Third, the proper kind of carpet adhesive (indoor/outdoor) will stick just fine to epoxy.

I personally use epoxy from uscomposites.com, although the west system stuff is standard (and expensive). There are lots of sites on the net to get marine epoxy from, and generally any epoxy labeled "marine" will work for what you want. The major difference is in price, although there are some differences in quality.

Depending on the original quality of your boat, the helm (console) may be made of plywood, marine grade ply, straight fiberglass, or some combination. Most of the ones you can buy nowadays are molded fiberglass.

Most people here building a console would build it out of ply and cover with epoxy or polyester resin. Depending on what you want for strength, 3/4 may actually be too much. If you cover the ply with fiberglass, a lot of strength will come from that instead of the wood.

Regardless of materials, if you want what you build to last, make sure any water that gets on it can drain away or dry up, and make sure it's completely sealed, right down to any screw or staple holes you put in it to attach stuff to it or mount it.

Erik

 

[Cleaniedini]

Re: Plywood question

Usually if I am building anything and weight isn't a particular concern I would make make it out of 3/4 plywood with very few voids. I usually go to home depot or Lowes and try to find some finish grade stuff, like once they had 4/8 birch vineer 3/4 plywood that was very solid for 20$. That was a steal! I got about 10 sheets. Then you can use it for interior cabinets or just build what you like out of it.

I would find some nice 1/2" plywood.

I would build your helm the way you want it out of wood like that with stainless screws using not epoxy but some polyester resin. It is much less expensive and great stuff! Glue joints together and then screw. Then sand or grind the corners to match the style of the boat. I would then get some fiberglass mat and fiberglass the whole thing over with 6 layers of fiberglass, inside and out. It is always a good idea to end with a woven type fiberglass on the top layer. Keeps everything clean! Then you can simply grind and sand it smooth using bondo to fill in mistakes. Then put some epoxy spray paint on it and spray it the color you like, or gelcoat!

It will take a while and may weigh a ton if you use too much resin or too much wood but it will be strong, sealed, and last a long time.

If you simply put epoxy over wood the flexing may crack it and then in comes moisture. With the fiberglass you don't need think structural wood. Just enough to hold shape while you fiberglass over it. Epoxy is great stuff for sticking stuff together but laying up fiberglass doesn't need that. That is why a polyester is cheaper and just a good.

Alternative #2. (the quick and dirty) Spray the wood with an epoxy primer and some two part topcoat like perfection. Done Deal!