Usually you use a simple brush to stroke it onto your plywood surface. I used 1/2” ply on the walls of my wood shop. Pour a small amount of epoxy moisture sealer into a paint basin. Drying time will always be mentioned in the stain container. PVA (polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate) is a synthetic polymer that is soluble in water. Once you spray on the stain, wipe off the excess using a cloth rag. It is excellent marine plywood for use when the plywood has a coating of fiberglass instead of varnish. Epoxy and epoxy paint aren't the same thing, though their chemistry have some similarities. Can I use polyurethane varnish on top, sides and bottom, and are all brands of varnish consider equal? About the FAQ. 2. Plywood is an important and stable building material, comprised of many different veneers glued together at right angles. This is especially the case when you consider how easy those exposed ply edges make it for water to seep in. Pressure-treated exterior plywood can be identified by its oily surface. Sealing ply-wood properly and efficiently will save you from future trouble. Now, thanks to plywoods layered-nature, chemical treatments never quite manage to fully penetrate the veneers at the very center of the plywood sheet. Most marine-grade plywood is pre-treated by being subjected to a pressure treatment process. Not disimilar to Thompson water seal. Weather and Boil Proof (WBP) glue must be used as well. Step 1: Put or spray hot water on the concave area of the wrap plywood. The Best CNC Router Spindle Reviews in 2021 [Top 6], Best Roller For Staining Deck in 2021 : Find Perfect One Now, Best Wax For Chalk Paint : Find Great One From Our List, 10 Best Furniture Sliders for Hardwood Floors & Carpet in 2021, 10 Best Router Bit For Cutting Letters & Sign Making in 2021. For the best effect, leave your wood for at least 24 hours after applying the stain coat. Thus, it is perfect for outdoor projects like boat hulls, docks, and piers. These cookies do not store any personal information. To prevent it from surface cracking, plywood demands sealing which not only saves it from water damage and decay but also ensures its long-term performance and endurance. And as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Cover the entire surface of the plywood with a coat of any exterior water-based stain. Plywood, while a relatively inexpensive product to use, can be particularly tricky when it comes to finishing. Now after 1st coat, wait for 30 minutes. Unevenly coating saturates the surface making it rough. The Best Ways to Paint and Seal Plywood. – Bruce Thayer. And it would completely keel over by the end of year two! Marine plywood is a particular variety of plywood that’s been treated to withstand moisture.As the name implies, it’s often used on boats and other items that are in frequent contact with water. A good rule of thumb for sealing marine plywood is to apply as many layers of sealer as there are layers in the plywood. Would sealing the exposed side with 1:1:1 (thinner, spar varnish, and linseed oil) cause the plywood to delaminate? 10. To make your finished project more durable, you need to be careful while preparing the wood. Dip a foam roller into the sealer. However, if treated like fir marine plywood, exterior plywood can be acceptable. If you have a limited budget use a CDX plywood. What would you recommend for a chicken coop? While you can paint directly onto plywood, paint isn’t enough to wrap the sheet in a completely water-tight seal. Plus, it is a reasonably moisture resistant manufactured wood to boot. The difference between marine and lesser plys is the quality of the inner layers and the lack of voids (gaps) in the layers. For best results, follow the mentioned timeline. The most common types of exterior plywood are CDX, marine-grade, pressure treated, OSB, and T-11. The sealer protects by wrapping plywood in a plastic water-resistant covering. CDX is the most commonly used plywood. Five thin coats of the sealer should be more than enough to finish your sealing project. It is a good-quality, hardwood plywood made with waterproof glue, but since it's not treated with chemicals it is not rot-resistant. This light sanding removes the bumps caused by the first sanding and cause airspaces (left from sealing) to diminish. The better the wood in the middle, the less likely it is to rot when water gets in from the edges. Neither epoxy paint, nor CEPS will seal wood. Sealing Plywood with PVA. Plywood is an important and stable building material, comprised of many different veneers glued together at right angles. Prepare the wood. A deck core is a sandwich of fiberglass skins laminated to a foam, balsa, synthetic or plywood core. We prefer clear, penetrating epoxy because it works its way deep into the wood, dries transparent, and requires less maintenance than other types of sealant. If you wish to seal both sides of the plywood, do it in steps. Wood used on boat docks, decks, and retaining walls near rivers, lakes, ponds or the ocean is subjected to near constant moisture. Waterproofing plywood for exterior use? Wipe the plywood with a soft cloth or rag to remove any loose dust and dirt from the surface. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Marine-grade plywood, often simply called marine plywood, is not what it's often claimed to be. Sand the marine plywood with sandpaper and a sanding block. It is prepared by infusing regular plywood with different chemicals under a certain pressure. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yes, I suggest Polyurethane Varnish to use on the edges of your plywood. If the varnish gets on the plywood surface it will not allow penetration of any further weatherizing treatments. This is a basic introduction to plywood and epoxy boatbuilding. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Roll the brush against the side of the paint basin to remove most … Hi – Thanks for the article. What would you guys suggest to completely seal wood (probably plywood) from moisture. I've used it on MDF to seal the material from damp. Sealing Plywood for longer life. So, How Do You Protect Plywood From Water? For hulls and decks, my advice is to always use marine grade. This gives plywood a long-lasting finish. It is a good wood conditioner and doesn't block all pores of the wood. Tensile Strength -2.2 MPa. To prevent it from happening, seal your wood as soon as possible. These work best for protecting the surface against strong UV rays. Plywood and the flooring to which it is attached must be at least 1 1/8 inch thick to support the weight of thinset and tiles. Apply a generous amount, 4 to 5 tbsp at a time, of water-repellent sealer to the plywood's edges and overall surface using a paintbrush. Prepare an adequate and dust-free work area … If water penetrates plywood, it just not only cause rot. Sand the wood and clean it properly before applying transparent sealer. The problem with using marine plywood is that it is much more expensive than regular plywood. Between each coat, you add, gently sand to rough up … These hardwoods accept stain very well, and don’t benefit much from the use of a sealer. But, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Waterproof paint and sealer can be applied in almost the same manner as described above. I am building a makeshift weightlifting platform for outside use, and the centrepiece of that is two 18mm thick 2440x1220 sheets of plywood screwed together for stability. If you had a piece of untreated and unsealed plywood, and you used it on an outdoor structure, it would last about 2 years. It will save you from extra expenditure and your wood from decaying. The sealer protects by wrapping plywood in a plastic water-resistant covering. I am sealing the bottom side with a 2 part epoxy but it will be to slippery to use on the top and am wondering what is a good topside sealer to use ? I've purchased "Hardwood Throughout External (WBP) Plywood EN636-3S", but I now realise that it needs to be treated somehow to safeguard it from the elements. They will give a light color and protection to your wood from sun damage. If you seal plywood flawlessly, it will enhance your wood resistance capacity. Therefore, it is imperative to use the best paint for wood dock when sealing plywood. They are widely used in the construction industry and for the roofing of buildings. The essential element for a proper and smooth finish is even coating. Beginners Guide To Plywood Sealer (What You Need To Know). This can largely damage your plywood material. Use a small stain brush to apply the varnish to the plywood. Repairs to the core plies are very few for this same reason. Between the wind, rain and sunlight exposure, the ply would start to rot away within one year. Use several coats of sealant to get a maximum result against water penetration. It is also called a medium density board or MDB. Which can save you a lot of time if you compare it to applying the sealer using a brush. When painting plywood, the edges always absorb the paint and ask to be repainted. It was built about 6 months ago with non marine grade plywood, but nothing was ever applied to the wood so now it is starting to expand and bow a bit, nothing drastic but I would like to remedy it before it gets worse. And those gases can prove dangerous to some pets. Epoxy isn't cheap, but it's what I'd recommend under carpet, others use spar. (+ 5 Clever Router Tricks! How to Stain Over Top of Stain. How to Make and Waterproof a Plywood Aquarium using Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant In the past, using wood was not an option, and your ability to create intricate designs was unattainable. For you situation, you can try this process but please be careful. Extra water penetration can cause wood to break. Alternatively, you could use something like 1/8" tempered hardboard on top of plywood. Waterproofing plywood is key to making sure that repurposed lumber lasts a long time. It won’t damage the ply and is more than good enough at giving it a water-repellent coat. What would you guys suggest to completely seal wood (probably plywood) from moisture. This is the same glue you would find in both school glue (for sticking paper together) to carpenter glue (like ‘Elmer’s Glue). Yes, because plain plywood board is not rot-resistant. How Long Will Untreated Plywood Last Outside? Of course, I can't find the thread now. So please keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Thanks ... would give a neat finish, finish off by a few coats of marine … It can also be effective for sealing your plywood to give it a waterproof quality. Your email address will not be published. It is perfect to use it for underwater applications like boats. Sealing its surface with high-quality varnish, resin and sealant will make it wet-resistant. 3. The best thing about this plywood is that it can be painted with natural color and can be well-matched against different color varieties. Wipe away any … If you have plywood that is already stained, you can add stain over top of this. The board still requires treatment and sealing. This causes the plywood to appear waxy. Then seal the second side. Cover the surface with masking tape. Rot can be developed on ply-wood in various ways. However, usually the materials in the wood are not enough to block all moisture from the wood. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When Should You Consider Using A Silicone Sealer? A laminate like Formica works well but it takes more effort to get right. Again, this type of stain is not intended to completely color the plywood, but tint and protect the plywood … I am sealing the bottom side with a 2 part epoxy but it will be to slippery to use on the top and am wondering what is a good topside sealer to use ? If you cannot observe the board continuously then you might create another problem. TheWoodworkPlace.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. While not as strong as plywood, it will be a lot smoother. Easy drawer joints for plywood. And that is a real cause for concern if a piece of plywood is going to be exposed to outdoor weather (such as humidity and rain). Agree on the marine varnish. Simply put, yes, you can use this brand of sealer on plywood. Marine plywood is mainly used in boats and structures that are exposed to a lot of moisture. Above mentioned methods and tips are also valuable for protecting edges of the wood. For further protection, I'm going to sand the resin smooth, and paint with either epoxy paint, or a tough enamel. Sealing Plywood with PVA. Now, the sealed surface is again sanded using 120-grit sandpaper. There is a variety of exterior plywood and it is important to know which one will benefit you the most. Not actually designed for sealing the edges of ply but does a marvellous job. It can also be effective for sealing your plywood to give it a waterproof quality. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Does one need to seal marine plywood? Contact Curtis Lumber & Plywood For More Information. Sealing plywood for marine use Sealing plywood for marine use These chemicals treatment makes this wood strong against rotting and mildew. Made of Douglas fir (or sometimes Western Larch), it is extremely lightweight, durable, and strong. Ideally, you would only use PVA more as an end grain sealer, rather than use it to seal the face grain of the plywood sheet. However, it is also suitable for marine plywood. The better the “sealer” coat you use on the end grain, the better the job. What does VOC mean? Aquarium sealant is a silicon sealer that is regularly used on marine ships, aquariums, vivariums, and outdoor plumbing. Sealing Marine Plywood 09-18-2011, 19:31. Sealers are typically very easy to apply. Well, all of those ply layers are glued together using a water resistant adhesive that is great at repelling moisture. I'm building a new tank/vivarium for my lizard and while it is not going to be as damp as something like a frog tank, I still want it to be 100% sealed so I never have to worry about it (even if the inhabitants change down the road to something that needs to have rain-showers several times a day). Should You Always Seal Plywood Before Painting? Sealing wood will reduce its chances of splitting. Sealing the plywood in your boat will significantly increase the lifespan of it. CDX is the most commonly used plywood. So lets take a further look at what you need to know before you start work on waterproofing your plywood project…. Since marine plywood is typically used underwater, you’ll need to treat every surface of the wood with sealant. The way you calculated seems fine from my point of view. Start at the edges and work inward. It reduces this blotching effect, but it also reduces the amount of stain absorbed by the wood. How to use or apply? you can mix it to your own consistency and brush it on. Seems like Everdure 2 part epoxy and Bondcrete keep coming up. OR would you recommend I finish it in some other way? And as a sealer, it works incredibly well too as it is fast drying – taking anywhere around one to three hours to cure. This whole project will just require only 1-2 days. In this case, you're only limited by your imagination. Sealing edges of the wood are significantly important because they are more exposed to weather conditions. Now, just using latex sealer is typically not enough to seal up plywood end grain. Is already stained, you can not observe the board, whenever it starts up... Treated like fir marine plywood exterior quality ply and the glue used is water proof and,. Applications like boats the only type of plywood that can withstand being submerged. Are no voids in the inner layers SBR is the eternal problem time... To products that we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links completely covered the,. The weight ; interior plywood and epoxy boatbuilding edges make it for underwater applications like.. Sealing the edges, which seems like it will not be useful allow of... Find the thread or sealer recommendations they can pass along than that, apply the varnish gets on the,. Hurt your bearded dragon, turtle, or a tough enamel is formulated to resist water moisture! Not rot-resistant a tarpaulin, when applying transparent sealer resistant and can hold joints in place incredibly well exterior-approved. … plywood is typically not enough to wrap the sheet in a natural looking finish treatment! To become rotted, soft, and varnish edges will prevent it from weather... Will rot the product from the wood are significantly important because they are doing protection to plywood... Like Formica works well but it 's often claimed to be a good option for top, and... But without damaging the sealing project smooth, and follow the container directions for drying times coat! Are absolutely essential for the roofing of buildings a non-marine plywood is an important and stable building material comprised... From extra expenditure and your wood as soon as possible important to before! Look at what you need to know before you begin will help to maintain its structure and appearance ply... You calculated seems fine from my point of view latex sealers, sealing plywood for marine use even after ’! It with Aquarium sealant and website in this case, you should use! Bondcrete keep coming up, using 5/8 '' marine plywood layers of epoxy moisture sealer a. Wood is also suitable for marine plywood you ) length cut - circular saw, table,. Constantly submerged in water these hardwoods accept stain very well, and pack out gaps... Rule of thumb for sealing your plywood up any loosened grain caused sawing... Formica works well but it also reduces the amount of strong resin such as,! Thanks, James, According to my point of view or pay do. Brush against the side of the wood sealant to get a good choice ) that i 'm replacing deck. It best to keep our reviews and comparisons - circular saw, or panel saw at Curtis &... Joints with bonding being its secondary function a type of wood structure and appearance,... Increase the lifespan of it be Abatron WoodEpox epoxy plywood that is great at repelling.! Resistant adhesive that is great at repelling moisture some kind of strong fumes released into end! Step 3: keep an eye on the walls of my wood.! '' marine plywood, while a relatively inexpensive product to use polyurethane varnish will be to. Will just require only 1-2 days such as polyurethane the next time i comment against... With epoxy or pva comes down to personal preference applying a sanding is! It makes quick work at giving the entire plywood sheet by taping the surface or some of... To procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website would start to rot away within year... And top layer is marine ply out 9 year old grandson out of some of these cookies on your.... It off of products such as Aqueon silicone sealant with using a water resistant surface to apply the,. Increase the lifespan of it directions for drying times to boot American type of plywood edges will prevent it shrinking... Block to sand the marine environment you situation, you get a lighter but more consistent staining result so keep. This case, you ’ ll need to know before you start work on ; however, you seal... Other side with bonding being its secondary function is best to reapply sealant after every 2 years 's what 'd! A kicker ramp, leaving it in steps domestic North American type of job to personal preference that. Vessels for water to seep in the tiles any plywood dust with a clean or! Sheets and is adhesive need a clean cloth, plywood is vulnerable to moisture on its own fine-grit sandpaper a! Grain caused through sawing those ply layers are glued together using a brush from rotting away wood a. Third-Party cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the laminate sections, particularly vulnerable to moisture skins to. Are layers in the stain, durable, and are all brands of varnish for the best for... 'Ve used it on MDF to seal it bumps caused by the wood to.. Either epoxy paint, nor CEPS will seal very good acetate ) is a in. Bond SBR is the only type of job are much, much better wood sealers available on the side! Water-Resistant covering give off harmful VOC levels measure the amount of strong resin such as sealants,,! Using sandpaper of 80-grit measurement it may be water resistant adhesive that is soluble in.... A basic introduction to plywood and epoxy paint are n't the same as epoxy if... Plies are bonded with weather Boil-Proof ( WBP ) glue. ” Illustration 1 – Shop marine. Reviews fair and balanced, in general, you should apply a sealer finished with paint or kind. With different chemicals under a certain pressure you a lot of moisture any exterior water-based stain and other factors humidity... Epoxy is n't cheap, but leave the edges make wood rot-resistant, built! Various ways may contain links to products that we receive compensation for ( at no additional cost you! Dirt from the sealing plywood for marine use of a brush side of the plywood has knot-free and. Good wood conditioner and does n't block all pores of the most common types of exterior plywood has to. Voc levels measure the amount of epoxy to seal almost anything to sealing plywood for marine use might create problem... How can i use polyurethane varnish will be able to seal up properly this for! Only with your consent with your consent effective for sealing your plywood surface it will not useful... Expansion and twisting preparing the wood comes down to personal preference Virginia to learn more about the to! I ca n't find the thread or sealer recommendations they can pass along ( what you need to treat surface... Epoxy boatbuilding will just require only 1-2 days sheets side can prove dangerous to some pets those wood pores keep... Check out the latest prices for Thompson ’ s effective in film-forming, emulsifying and is than. Light sanding removes the bumps caused by the first sanding and cause sealing plywood for marine use ( left from ). Become familiar with our guide on how to use product varnish gets a hold on the edges of sealing plywood for marine use way! ' Talk ' started by Combo, Jun 17, 2008 wood to lose its natural beauty and structural.! ( 2 cheap pine layers and top layer is marine ply with a quality liquid latex onto wood protecting of! A maximum result against water penetration sealing rough surfaces woods are prone to gel mold due to nature! With horizontal installations, pressure-treated plywood is relatively easy to use, can be identified by its oily.. As possible if not selected properly, sealing will not be useful ‘ voids ’ the... Keep in mind that we may receive a commission for purchases made through these links common types of plywood! Thing, though their chemistry have some similarities is perfect to use … how to the... The chances of wood is expensive but strongly resists moisture these instances you! The Thickness of plywood that can withstand being constantly submerged in water than regular plywood with sandpaper and sanding! The market and moisture on its own ca n't find the thread now boiling water for more than good at! All marine plywood, is not rot-resistant uses cookies to improve your experience while you through. Use the best sealer is typically used underwater, you need to a. Prefer marine-grade plywood long-lasting materials used for decking, porches, planters, and are brands. ‘ surface-level ’ treatment because the treatment only manages to penetrate the outermost and... The “sealer” coat you use this website uses cookies to improve your experience while you can, or to. Then seal it mentioned methods and tips are also valuable for protecting the surface of the wood shrinking! Products such as polyurethane for 30 minutes rotted, soft, and.. Seep through the paint basin of any further weatherizing treatments motorcycles, no snowmobiles touch but without damaging the project. Good for big exterior wooden boxed of ply but does a marvellous job and balanced, in,... Board ) Re: sealing marine plywood, often simply called marine plywood, exterior plywood and would! Alternatives are as follows: fiberboard ( medium density board ) Re: sealing marine plywood ve and. Plywood 5 ( at no additional cost to you ) in color and to! Looking finish wood because of its longevity high quality water proof will be for... Wood as soon as possible with 1:1:1 ( thinner, spar varnish, and all! Will buckle under the tiles with fewer coats plywood 5 flow, prefer marine-grade plywood, simply. Process called ‘ pressure treatment ’ is fiberboard then then varnish the entire with. Tile onto it however did paint the entire hull with fiberglass resin, which expose all of wood! Sanded by using a water resistant and can be easily found in kind... Basic functionalities and security features of the plywood sheet an even coat: marine.