sealing plywood

What works and what doesn't. Share design ideas, references and contacts for paipo board builders.
User avatar
PaipoRick
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 51
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:29 pm
City: City
State or Province: Your state or province
Country: Your country
Location: Asheville, NC

sealing plywood

#1

Unread post by PaipoRick »

What do you guys recommend for sealing non marine ply? I am going to make a few plywood boards from some 3/8" that isn't marine grade....I don't want to spend a lot on marine ply (at least not yet).

We need a faq for that stuff.
mrmike
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 192
Joined: Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:36 pm
City: coronado
State or Province: ca
Country: United States

Re: sealing plywood

#2

Unread post by mrmike »

HOUSE PAINT
User avatar
ClanB
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 144
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2011 12:48 am
City: Ventura
State or Province: CA
Country: USA
Interests: surf hunt fish chili bbq paipos, nerd rpgs lol, yup music
Location: SoCal

Re: sealing plywood

#3

Unread post by ClanB »

I used krylon spray on mine ,no clear coat and after 4 sessions I can see the grain of the wood swelling and the nose kick has flatened out a bit.
Poobah
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 224
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:46 pm
City: Lucerne
State or Province: CA
Country: USA

Re: sealing plywood

#4

Unread post by Poobah »

It depends on what you mean by sealing. A sealer can just be a thinned down version of the finish paint or varnish that you want to use. I've also used hemp or linseed oil as a primer coat under oil-based varnish. I like the fast-drying Minwax Polyurethane...mainly for the way it sands between coats. I don't bother to thin the first coat with that stuff. A slower drying (and more expensive) spar varnish might be a good choice since your plywood is thin enough to be flexy. A quart goes a long way.

Ecologically the best choice is to use whatever you already have in the garage, or whatever is free or cheap on Craigslist.

I checked the Free section on the Ashville Craigslist, and only found one old ad for a guy giving away four gallons of white exterior paint. Also saw some free plywood in a couple of ads. For a solid timber board, you could snag these headboards for free:

http://asheville.craigslist.org/zip/2833152502.html
GeoffreyLevens
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 384
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:58 am
City: Paonia
State or Province: Colorado
Country: USA
Location: Paonia, Colorado
Contact:

Re: sealing plywood

#5

Unread post by GeoffreyLevens »

Quick and dirty for experimental boards-paraffin driven in w/ heat gun or stolen wife's hair dryer. Be sure to get plenty into the edges/end grain parts.
User avatar
Uncle Grumpy
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 450
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 12:57 pm
City: San Clemente
State or Province: California
Country: USA
Interests: Surfing, Surfboards, Surf History, Fishing, Boats, Dogs, Books
Contact:

Re: sealing plywood

#6

Unread post by Uncle Grumpy »

These days only the very cheapest plywoods are not made with waterproof glue.
Many exterior and all marine plys are water and Boil proof.
The benefits of marine ply are: more layers, thicker face veneers and no voids.
Certain types (okume) are also very light.
If you are seeking longevity, a coat of epoxy (especially on the edges) makes a great primer for most paints.
It also goes on better with a little warmth applied via heat gun or hair dryer after you roll or brush it on.
You have to sand it lightly before you paint BTW.
Paipo surfer in repose,
Nose on the nose,
No grunting he-man pose.
See how fast he goes!
What is it he knows?
Atlantasurfer
Big Wave Charger
Posts: 97
Joined: Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:30 pm
City: Atlanta
State or Province: GA
Country: U.S.
Interests: books, beer, and breaking waves
Location: Georgia hills

Re: sealing plywood

#7

Unread post by Atlantasurfer »

I use good old Helsman spar urethane. A couple of coats gives you a really smooth surface.
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 42 guests