protecting from wet rot....

[yourmomm]

hi-i posted an item about wet rot in my gunwhales on PBO but wondered if i should have put it here instead? all the details are there but briefly: i am busy repairing mahogany ply gunwhales which were previously sheathed in epoxy but (even so) were rotted through.

any ideas about how to protect the new sections i am scarphing-in? i do NOT intend to resheath the new ply with epoxy but am scarphing into sound sections which have epoxy sheathing remaining, and am concerned about waterproofing the whole lot when done. many thanks for any advice.

 

[LittleShip]

Hi

My cabin and flybridge are ply.........

All it needs if your not going to epoxy is a good paint system and regular maintenance. Sealing the ends of the ply with epoxy so that it wont "wick" water is also a good idea.

Only use top quality marine ply, there is a reason it is more expensive, I'll let you work out why!

Tom

PS I have just read your other post............
You should never cover wood with GRP if you need to cover, it should be done with epoxy. GRP has a mechanical bond to the wood and will overtime "let go" which I would imagine has happened to yours. Epoxy has a more chemical bond as it will soak into the wood and that provides a much better key for the coating.

 

[Peterduck]

Paint all over with a really thin [viscosity] saturating epoxy like International's Everdure, paying close attention to the end-grain on the edges of the ply. Moisture travels ten times more easily along the grain than across it. At least two coats of Everdure.
Peter.