Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

[BSDenning]

Hello,

Last weekend I built a new front deck and subflooring in my 14 foot Lowe jon boat with pressure treated plywood, 2x2's, and 2x4's. I allowed the lumber to dry over the past week and tomorrow I am planning to glue the carpet on. I just read something on the internet that said something about the pressure treated wood may react with the aluminum in the boat. Is this true? If it is true, is there something I can do to protect my boat? I really want to use the wood that I've already got because it was really expensive and I've already got it built. Thanks in advance for your help.

-Bret

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

From what I gather the pressure-treated lumber causes corrosion and in bad cases pitting that can be a major problem. I would think that the more water gets in the boat the bigger the problem as the chemicals leach out of the wood.

As far as your situation...maybe if you coat the wood with several layers of epoxy resin and then paint it the chemicals won't be able to get out?

I'm sure someone will come along and post that can confirm or deny my idea and maybe offer a better solution. I had a piece of treated on my rear bench seat and took it off a while ago for the same reason. Good luck.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

ok. So maybe I can coat my treated wood with something that will keep the chemicals from reacting with my wood. Does anyone have an idea of exactly what I should use?

 

[BSDenning]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

I've got some green paint. I was planning on painting my boat tomorrow or Sunday. Do you think that if I also paint the treated wood, it will help it to not corrode my boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

where ever it contacts the aluminum it needs a barrier.

 

[snal]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

From what I gather the pressure-treated lumber causes corrosion and in bad cases pitting that can be a major problem. I would think that the more water gets in the boat the bigger the problem as the chemicals leach out of the wood.

This is correct. The newer treated wood (new within the last few years) will eat up aluminum, I've seen it happen with flashings where decks are tied to homes. Local building codes won't allow aluminum flashing near the new treated wood. You must also use the correct nails/screws made specifically for treated wood.
I used some regular screws on a deck that I built on our camper last year, had to pull some of the deck boards up to run a water line this year...the screws wouldn't back out because there was nothing left of them below the head...that's within a year!

 

[BSDenning]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

This is correct. The newer treated wood (new within the last few years) will eat up aluminum, I've seen it happen with flashings where decks are tied to homes. Local building codes won't allow aluminum flashing near the new treated wood. You must also use the correct nails/screws made specifically for treated wood.
I used some regular screws on a deck that I built on our camper last year, had to pull some of the deck boards up to run a water line this year...the screws wouldn't back out because there was nothing left of them below the head...that's within a year!

I checked the screws that I used and they are the special screws meant for treated lumber. So, there's no problem there.

I guess I'm just going to try to paint the wood. Hopefully that will protect my aluminum job boat.

 

[xxlurchxx]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

You may also want to put a layer of somthing on major points of contact. As I think pressure points are where you are most likely to see reactions.

 

[109jb]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

The difference between the jon boats and the typical v-hull aluminum boats here on the forum is that the jon boat has paint on it both inside and out. That itself is one barrier to protect from the corrosion. The typical boat restores you read about on the forum are like my Starcraft was. Bare aluminum on the inside of the hull. Rather that trying to seal the wood to keep the chemicals in I would seal the boat to keep the chemical out. Something very durable at the contact points. Something like truck bedliner. Just my 2 cents.

 

[oops!]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

where ever it contacts the aluminum it needs a barrier.

all you need is a barrier.....some kind of barrier..paint it self ....may come off due to flex...this could be thin rubber...(like pool liner)....or as suggested a paint on rubberised coating....but it must be seperated....or all your work will be in vain

 

[DANZIG]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

Treated? No, No, and No. Do not do it! Not If you care about the boat anyway.

At some point your barrier is going to fail and you will not notice until it is too late. Murphy says so.

Chuck that wood after using it as a template for the non treated you are going to put in.

 

[oops!]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

Treated? No, No, and No. Do not do it! Not If you care about the boat anyway.

At some point your barrier is going to fail and you will not notice until it is too late. Murphy says so.

Chuck that wood after using it as a template for the non treated you are going to put in.

this is a standard correct answer.....

pt wood is a no no on tinnys.....

but if you must.....now you know how.

 

[BSDenning]

Re: Pressure treated wood on an aluminum jon boat

ok. Well, I've already used pressure treated wood to build my front deck and my subflooring. I have already carpeted the wood. So throwing the wood out and starting over is not an option.

I am in the process right now of puting a lair of paint on my jon boat. I plan to put a second lair of paint on my jon boat in the morning. I also plan to paint the wood on all points of contact tomorrow. I'm considering putting a layer of carpet on points of contact so that the paint doesn't ware off.

Are there any more ideas on how I can put a barrier between the pressure treated lumber and my boat?