replacing rotten wood,

[deerhound]

my boat has water damaged wood at rear, 2 runners about 1 inch X 3 inch , and 18 inches long, they support a wooden panel which sits on slides to get access to bilges,and lifts out easly, the fuel tank sits on this panel,I was going to add glass fibre to the wood and resin it,or am I better to remove rotten wood? now I wonder if Epoxy is better? My other main question is, what kind of wood is best for repair? just the laminated waterproof plywood that can be purchased at any D.I.Y. store? any advise/help please.JBD

 

[crab bait]

Re: replacing rotten wood,

epoxy is always better,easier, more user-friendly , an when wood is encapsulated,, is totally rot proof & is a glue..<br /> which can't be said for polyester resin.. <br /><br /> there is no such thing as waterproof plywood.. just that in marine an/or exterior grade,, the adheshives are waterproof..<br /><br />use any good grade exterior ply .. cheap grades has to many voids an crap.. <br /><br />as far as lumber,, ( i don't know UK lumber ),, white oak ( NOT RED OAK ) doug/hem fir, spruce , mohogany.. <br /><br />encapsultate all wood in 2 coats of thin laminate epoxy .. good to go..<br /><br />never use thin epoxy alone to glue things (wood ) together.. IT'LL NEVER HOLD ..<br /> <br />mix in 'fillers'..silica, mirco-balloons ect.. even sawdust to give the thin epoxy some body..

 

[epresutti]

Re: replacing rotten wood,

Lurcher,<br /><br />You need to remove the rotted wood and make sure nothing is wet. The rotted wood will have no structural integrity. There are products that will absorb into the wood like "Git Rot", I don't have any experience with these types of repairs. <br /><br />I have always been advised, and practice, replacing the rotted components and joining them back to the good structure with whatever is appropriate. IE: Mechanically fastened, epoxied or poly resin and glass.<br /><br />Peace.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[deerhound]

Re: replacing rotten wood,

Fine all noted, I have seen references to Epoxy but couldn't understand how it could fill wood grain and glue as well untill Crab Bait mentioned mixing sawdust etc!now I can picture how it will work, I will take several pictures as reference,measure up everthing, cut and dry fit all bits, maybe even use some kind of rapid glue to hold wood in place, and when satisfied epoxy, and as you say all will be encapsulated, I will try and put pictures on site to show my progress, but not sure yet how to do it? many thanks for great help again. JBD

 

[crab bait]

Re: replacing rotten wood,

yeah,, thin epoxy is just for laminating an encapsulating.. <br /><br />thicker hardware store epoxy can be used in bonding.. <br /><br />but the thin stuff can be used also an it really better.. when used with 'fillers'<br /><br />silca is very strong an keeps epoxy from sagging ( on verticle ) .. hard to sand.. <br /><br />micro-balloons is not very strong but is very easy to sand.. <br /><br />if sanding of it is nessisary,, a combo mix is good ..<br /><br />for flat-out strenght,,<br /> is milled fiberglass power.. sands like concrete.. <br /><br />sawdust is ok,, but is way down on my list..<br /><br />you can 'dry-fit' your pieces together with drywall screws.. it OK.. by the time it's glued for real an encapsulated,, the screw holes will be filled automatically..<br /><br />good luck..

 

[deerhound]

Re: replacing rotten wood,

Agin thank you, I print all my advise from this site, so this one is on top of list to do, I will price material needed and make start, let you know how things are going JBD