Salty plywood

[MikeBz]

We have some plywood headlining panels which have had salt water leaked onto them. I’ve rinsed and dried them but they are damp again within a short while of leaving them in an unheated dry room. Is there any way to get the salt out of the ply? I’m wondering whether forcibly immersing it in fresh water for a few days will leach out the salt or whether I’m just wasting my time.

 

[jakew009]

Just replace them

 

[PetiteFleur]

My experience - I had a leaking fuel tank when I got my boat many years ago, I initially did as you suggested - cleaned up the wood & plywood but the bilges still stank of diesel so replaced all the wood bearers and affected ply which cured it. I also scrubbed the bilges with hot water & bilge cleaner(Bilgex?) which also helped considerably. Good luck.

 

[MikeBz]

If replacing, how expensive a plywood should I be looking at? I guess Robbins Elite marine ply is as good as it gets but at a price. I’m thinking that the glue needs to be waterproof but the quality of the wood isn’t that important.

 

[Supertramp]

I had some damp in ply head lining. Dried the ply out and gave it a couple of varnish coats. And fixed the damp source. Added benefit is any leak tracks out faster.

 

[Boathook]

I've used cheap plywood in the past possibly 3 or 4mm thick. Cut to size, all holes drilled and varnish with first coats thinned down. Allowed to dry and then covered with vinyl.
Seemed to last well but then I had sorted out all the leaks .....

 

[Plum]

If replacing, how expensive a plywood should I be looking at? I guess Robbins Elite marine ply is as good as it gets but at a price. I’m thinking that the glue needs to be waterproof but the quality of the wood isn’t that important.

I have used cheep exterior BWP grade ply for headlining, after cutting paint all over with two coats of primer before adhering PVC. Mine were still perfect at 15 years when I sold the boat.

 

[Graham376]

I agree with the posts above, replace with bog standard 6mm (or whatever thickness they are) ply from builders merchant or B & Q. Seal with varnish or paint so any future water runs off.