beating a dead horse

[UK-Brian]

ok I know this has probably been covered many times. the topic is going on about floor sealing and I have seen urethane/mineral vs. black goo vs epoxy. I'm wondering if the stuff like thompsons water seal is better or are the others better. I'm starting my floor next week.

thanks, Brian

[Miriam C.]

Anything waterproof....Water sealers tend to have short lives though. Ours said to do every couple of years. Lasted one! I think cheap paint might even do better...mho..

[madjack]

...what AuntiM said...a product like Thompsons should be reapplied periodically...when I was doing deck/boatdock building, I would recommend a new coat of Thompsons every year for 3 yrs and then new coats every 3 thereafter...asphalt fence post paint from Tractor Supply or other farm supply stores is probably the best stuff to use for cost Vs ease of use Vs longevity...probably available from box stores or you local hardware as well, asphalt roof coating would be the cheapest to use...3 coats of an outdoor rated poly urethane works well and epoxy is the cats meow but the most expensive option and a bit overkill...couple of three coats of a good grade of outdoor house paint works pretty good as well and was widely used back in the old days...the bottom line is to seal it, with whatever you wish as long as it is sealed!!!!!!
madjack

[doug hodder]

Kinda depends on how you use it and store it. I've had an original '49 Kit with a raw plywood floor and was in great to OK shape....it spent it's life in a dry climate however. On a new build...I use epoxy on the joints and liberally apply (mop) some oil based primer and paint on it, I pour it on and then moosh it out with a roller and brush. Only have 6 years on the oldest one at this point however. Your environment may differ. Doug

[gregp136]

We used fiber roof coating, and there is no doubt in my mind that it will last for a LONG time, which is what we were after. But we have more than a half gallon left, so if anyone in the Milwaukee area wants it for the bottom of theirs, I would be happy to pass it on, and that would be a VERY cheap coating for them.



Greg (and Laurie)

[Nobody]

Been considerable discussion of this subject during the recent past. Some members have expressed doubt as to longevity/durability of the asphalt post or roof coating. Granted, the stuff is stinky, sticky, & ain't real pretty but, the cost, ease of application, & its undeniable waterproofness (izzat a word??) make it a very viable product for those who use it. I applied 2 coats on underside of my TD floor in Jul '06 & then added 1" 'blue board' foam insulation.




In 12K+ miles on near every kind of road/terrain, thru weather from +100deg to near 0deg 'f', from near 0 humidity to pulling thru flooded streets/intersections (in New Mexico of all places) where water was axle deep or higher, the undercoating has 'held up' well with no failures that I can detect. Some folks also seem to fear that 'flying' gravel, rocks, or other foreign objects may damage or penetrate the coating. After my TD was 'rear-ended' last Labor Day weekend I had occasion to work extensively underneath my TD. Other than the damage from the 'wreck' I could find no damage/deterioration to the under coating & no evidence of ANY damage from external causes. In fact, the underside of my TD looked near pristine except for a little dust/dirt, again discounting the damage from the collision -





I gotta second Greg & wholeheartedly endorse the asphalt coating, whichever type you use

[wannabefree]

My parents' house was finished with Thompsons. They recoated every year and in a few years ended up painting over it. The stuff just doesn't hold up.

I'm a belt and suspenders kind of guy - I used epoxy, then sprayed undercoating over that.

[halfdome, Danny]

I welded a tube for a bike rack on a friends teardrop last week and noticed the floor was made of MDO with no coating whatsoever.
It's about 3 years old and it looked brand new.
I seal mine with plam (plastic laminate). Danny