Washboards Paint or Varnish ?

[LONG_KEELER]

I like varnished washboards but they all seem to rot at the base.

I'm considering painting mine, but would welcome any ideas to stop the rot
and seal the end grain with some watery type of stuff.

Or do most people just go for the clear composite materials when it's renewal time ? .

Any thoughts or ideas would be very welcome

Thanks

 

[lw395]

Glue on some rubber at the bottom, so the wood is not sat in a puddle of water.
Make some posh new washboards and keep the old ones for winter?
Make some robust new washboards with extra vents for winter, take the nice ones home and varnish them.

Epoxy the bottom edge.

 

[Kukri]

I wonder if yours have a design issue? Water should not be collecting at the base. Would adding a drip rail help?

 

[seumask]

Perspex wash board, and paint /film on them if you don't like their opacity.! Pesonally I like the light now I've got used to it.

 

[alahol2]

Mine are varnished marine ply with a thin hardwood strip glued all around. Lots of coats of varnish keep the moisture out. I have a grotty set of plywood ones that are used for winter. Varnished ones come home for some pampering and yet another coat of varnish.

 

[fredrussell]

Woodskin! Did mine two years ago, still perfect.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Make sure that the boards are not standing in fresh water. Drill drain holes in the frame if necessary.

 

[johnalison]

Washboards have a hard time, being clunked in and out of position regularly, and sometimes stowed ineffectively. My current ones I opted for no varnish and treat the teak with Patio Magic as per the deck. It doesn't look grand, but at least it looks wholesome.

Oue last boat, a Sadler, had washboards in three sections, each varnished. The top and bottom of each were always getting scuffed and discoloured. In the end I just 'varnished' the ends with epoxy glue and varnished over that and found that they lasted very much better, requiring little attention. The idea of rubber is good but glue is an easy alternative.

 

[Yngmar]

An idea not yet mentioned: Coat the bottom bit that always rots in adhesive sealant. Makes a nice rubbery and waterproof bottom and is compatible with varnish. Varnish the rest of the washboard for good looks. With some masking tape you should be able to get a straight edge between the two that looks nice. I've coated the (mostly invisible) undersides and hidden edges of my teak trim like that and varnished the rest, and it works well and no water gets under the varnish.

 

[Pye_End]

Epoxy coat then varnish.

 

[dunedin]

Tinted Perspex for me. Zero maintenance and lets more light in.

 

[duncan99210]

Tinted Perspex for me. Zero maintenance and lets more light in.

That’s what we have, works well. Privacy, if required, is obtained by using a curtain rigged inside the companionway, which is needed anyway as we rarely fit the washboards whilst we’re aboard during the summer.