Resurfacing marine plywood decking

[warddog]

Having to replace the carpeting on a 1990 pontoon that has it for quite a while. The surface of the decking is peeling up on a couple of sheets, BUT the floor is not week. Can this decking be resurfaced or should I just bite the bullet and replace the plywood? I'm really not wanting to replace it unless absolutely necessary because this pontoon has the decking sandwiched in channels, so I will have to remove all the bolts on the cross struts to be able to get the plywood in between. It also appears that the sides of the plywood have been trimmed down a little all along that framework to fit in the channel as well.

 

[captmello]

when I wanted to replace the carpet on mine, I ended up replacing the plywood as well, mostly because the carpet was stuck so well to the ply. I had to remove everything anyway including the fencing and the channel around the edge.
I've never heard of resurfacing plywood...

 

[warddog]

The floor surface has checked and peeled up in areas, but after removing what was loose, the rest looks good. My thought was to epoxy over the surface and then carpet over it. I have already removed everything from the deck BUT seeing how the decking is fitted into the aluminum channel, will be even more of a job than I anticipated. It appears that the plywood has to be pushed out from the channels a piece at a time. It also appears that fresh ply will need to be trimmed down along the 8-foot sides so as to fit back into the channel. This pontoon is going to be put on our private pit as a dock and swim raft only so not worried about looking like a new one.

 

[garbageguy]

if it's going to be raft (and not a boat), and who knows how long it'll float, just cover-up the existing deck surface

 

[1960 Starflite]

We redecked our 24 ft Harris. Carpet was badly faded, worn and mildewed. We went back with CDX exterior plywood and glued Vinyl flooring with 1" risers between vinyl and railings. Also installed 3/8" risers between furniture and deck. We are loving the easy cleanup with garden hose. Everything rinses off and drains well.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would replace the plywood

 

[warddog]

I would replace the plywood

I decided to do just that.

 

[warddog]

We redecked our 24 ft Harris. Carpet was badly faded, worn and mildewed. We went back with CDX exterior plywood and glued Vinyl flooring with 1" risers between vinyl and railings. Also installed 3/8" risers between furniture and deck. We are loving the easy cleanup with garden hose. Everything rinses off and drains well.

 

[warddog]

Did you seal the CDX with anything as I've not seen any of it that is for long term water exposure? From what I have read all the new treated plywood is now treated with a copper chemical that reacts to the aluminum.

 

[redneck joe]

See post #5

Old Timers Formula in transom seal

Am about to install marine grade transom. Have been researching on best way to seal my transom. As a complete novice am a little concerned about going up against an epoxy seal? I am now reading about old timers recipe? Do you all feel this is a good option for a transom. Seems much easier...

forums.iboats.com

 

[redneck joe]

I would guess that the ply would not have been trimmed to fit but rather swelled up.

If not soft floor live with it this season.

 

[1960 Starflite]

Did you seal the CDX with anything as I've not seen any of it that is for long term water exposure? From what I have read all the new treated plywood is now treated with a copper chemical that reacts to the aluminum.

CDX C=grade of finish one side, D=grade of finish other side (A being best in A - D)
X meaning Exterior glue. It is Not Marine grade or treated.
This was our 2nd time re-decking this Toon, first deck lasted 18 years with same grade plywood. Our Toon lived in covered dock, in water, six months of year. Boathouses were replaced last year with non-covered docks, I won't see how long the deck lasts with vinyl flooring (78).
We applied two coats of exterior paint to edges and sides after fitting sheets.

 

[warddog]

So, I decided to use CCA pressure treated plywood used for permanent foundations. I am also going to use the "old Timers Seal" on it to help with waterproofing. I cannot seem to find any adhesive manufacturer to state that their product will work on this plywood. The CCA is the old arsenic type of treatment and not the newer AC2, I believe they call it now so not much info on glue. Anyone with suggestions as what to use other than contact cement as I don't think I can handle an 8x20 carpet with contact type stuff?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would not use CCA pressure treatment anything anywhere near aluminum without a plastic barrier such as phenolic G10 sheet

dap weldwood for carpet glue.

 

[redneck joe]

Do not use cca

 

[captmello]

CCA Plywood is commonly marketed as pontoon replacement decking.
I used it when I replaced mine with no noticeable issues since then, roughly 8 years ago.
I'm curious about these comments...

 

[tphoyt]

The key would be as Scott said. It needs to have a barrier between it. The copper will react with aluminum and rot it away. Even more so in salt water. I have seen some aluminum boats that were bottomed paint with a copper based bottom paint and they are toast.