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Undercarriage coating

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:21 pm
by GregB
I've seen the various recommendations regarding using Henry's and other undercarriage coatings. I'm wondering if using a BS1088 certified marine grade exterior plywood alone would suffice. It seems that any coating would also seal moisture in as well as out, but a skin may have other benefits that I'm missing. Any ideas?

GB

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 3:23 pm
by Ira
Henry's is the Aluminum adhesive. You're thinking of the Gardner's stuff.

But if you seal the undercarriage, where is water gonna get in there for you to be concerned with?

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:08 pm
by Slayer
I seal eveything. All six sides. On every piece of wood. If it hasn't got glue on it I paint or seal it.

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:28 pm
by PaulC
As much as I hate to say it but even marine ply is susceptible to continuous wetting and drying. Your best bet is to keep it either wet or dry. On a TD this means sealing it.
Cheers
Paul :thumbsup:

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:29 pm
by DestinDave
Greg - what makes a marine grade plywood different is the quality of the plys and the exterior glues. Marine grade ply has no "footballs" on the outer surfaces and generally no voids in the layers of ply. Wherever you cut a piece of 1088 ply you will get a nice solid edge. Mahogany is still mahogany whether it's 1088 at $85/sheet or Home Depot at $30/sheet...
Even when used to build a boat it is sealed (epoxy, glass, paint, varnish)...
I recommend you seal it up no matter what you use.
WalMart has a bright white elastomeric roof coating for $11/gal which will give about 3 heavy coats on a 4x10 floor.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:09 am
by GregB
I guess I shouldn't complain since the marine Merranti here is only $28/ 4x8 sheet. I'll just tar the bottom and CPES-Uniflex the rest.

GB