new plywood washboard/doors - what to prime/varnish with

[Trevelyan]

Hi all,
I'm making some new plywood washboard/doors - any advice on what to prime/varnish these with please?

Previously I've gone all out and coated with Gurit SP300 primer, SP320 epoxy and then finally coated with polyurethane varnish to protect from UV. That was perhaps overkill (and quite expensive!) - any pointers please on what to treat with?

Cheers,
Trev

 

[duncan99210]

I refurbished the washboards on my Hurley by taking them back to bare wood and then simply used B&Q exterior varnish on them, about seven coats in total iirc. They've been on the boat for three years now still looking good.

 

[reeac]

The washboards on our Sadler 29 are of varnished plywood except for the lowest 10 mm of the lowest board which is solid teak. I assume that this is to avoid deterioration due to water which may accumulate along that lowest edge. Seems to work ok.

 

[pcatterall]

I refurbished the washboards on my Hurley by taking them back to bare wood and then simply used B&Q exterior varnish on them, about seven coats in total iirc. They've been on the boat for three years now still looking good.

+1 on that. perhaps thin the first coat to get good penetration. good sanding after first and second coats as the fibres start to raise up a little then just light sanding between the rest of the coats.

 

[Tranona]

Hi all,
I'm making some new plywood washboard/doors - any advice on what to prime/varnish these with please?

Previously I've gone all out and coated with Gurit SP300 primer, SP320 epoxy and then finally coated with polyurethane varnish to protect from UV. That was perhaps overkill (and quite expensive!) - any pointers please on what to treat with?

Cheers,
Trev

International Woodskin, or change to Plastic such as acrylic.

 

[TheBomber]

International yacht varnish for me, but I'm sure the alternatives are fine. My top tip - make up some boards for the winter too (or maybe hang on to the old ones) so you can do your varnishing at home, untroubled by weather and time. The winter ones can be coated in whatever paint you have handy while your sailing season boards get a single top up coat of varnish every winter to keep them pristine.

 

[mattonthesea]

International yacht varnish for me, but I'm sure the alternatives are fine. My top tip - make up some boards for the winter too (or maybe hang on to the old ones) so you can do your varnishing at home, untroubled by weather and time. The winter ones can be coated in whatever paint you have handy while your sailing season boards get a single top up coat of varnish every winter to keep them pristine.

Fab tip. Thanks