Sealing plwood

[jdfdave]

I think I want to finish the exterior of my teardrop with paint, however my concern is sealing the ends of the plywood ends to make them weatherproof. What do you recommend? Also, can I just use good exterior paint for the sides and maybe the top? The roof is 1/4" plywood. Open to any suggestions.

[citylights]

I think I want to finish the exterior of my teardrop with paint, however my concern is sealing the ends of the plywood ends to make them weatherproof. What do you recommend? Also, can I just use good exterior paint for the sides and maybe the top? The roof is 1/4" plywood. Open to any suggestions.

If you just paint, you will have to repaint every couple of years to maintain. Regular exterior paint is OK. Some have suggested the new wood deck refurbish paint and sealer would be better, but I don't think it has been out long enough for long term trials.

For a small price upgrade, some have reported excellent luck with a canvas painted exterior. The composite structure provides better wear and strength. Seal the wood with painted on tight bond II wood glue, glue down canvas, paint over canvas. I almost went with the canvas, but decided to stick with an aluminum skin.

[Fyddler]

I would recommend TB2 and canvas or muslin fabric over the plywood first. I used Muslin personally due to price and no real reason to have the heavy canvas over plywood, unlike foam where it adds a structural component. First problem you will have without covering it first is cracking of the paint at any seam you have. I didn't cover my wood fenders and after 2 months already have paint splitting at seams. I know a lot of people use latex paint, but it really isn't made to be washed on a regular bases, or exposed to the elements at 55MPH. It will chalk over time also. I used a two part Epoxy Acrylic product from Cloverdale( link below) with a high quality primer under it. So far I have been extremely happy with it, but time will tell. It is an industrial coating that is semi resistant to solvents so you can get tar off without to much trouble. I used an HVLP sprayer and it looks great. Just my $.02.

http://www.cloverdalepaint.com/info/pdf ... 0-0040.pdf

[jdfdave]

Thanks for your comments. Since this is my first build I am trying to keep it simple. If I am understanding you correctly, I can use a good quality exterior paint, oil based for the sides and top. Do I need to do anything special to the plywood ends that are exposed? Just paint or some kind of special sealer?

[citylights]

Thanks for your comments. Since this is my first build I am trying to keep it simple. If I am understanding you correctly, I can use a good quality exterior paint, oil based for the sides and top. Do I need to do anything special to the plywood ends that are exposed? Just paint or some kind of special sealer?

The "classic" designs call for a coat of epoxy thinned with 50% mineral spirits to penetrate and seal the wood. This is especially important at the plywood ends. Search for "rot doctor plywood seal" and their CPES product.

Check here for more info

http://www.rotdoctor.com/test/polytest/polytest.html

With that said, I used latex household exterior paint on mine, but I plan to skin in aluminum over that.

[jdfdave]

Thanks for your comments. Since this is my first build I am trying to keep it simple. If I am understanding you correctly, I can use a good quality exterior paint, oil based for the sides and top. Do I need to do anything special to the plywood ends that are exposed? Just paint or some kind of special sealer?

The "classic" designs call for a coat of epoxy thinned with 50% mineral spirits to penetrate and seal the wood. This is especially important at the plywood ends. Search for "rot doctor plywood seal" and their CPES product.

Check here for more info

http://www.rotdoctor.com/test/polytest/polytest.html

With that said, I used latex household exterior paint on mine, but I plan to skin in aluminum over that.

Thanks, I ordered the sealer from rotdoctor and the filler. It looks like a great product. Here is a link to my blog with my weird build.
http://dfurlow.blogspot.com
Not really a teardrop, a but as someone said a square drop. It's been a fun build so far.

[citylights]

Nice blog to document your build. I argued with myself for weeks about going with a practical box or the cute teardrop shape. In the end I decided that I do too many things practical and went with the cute tear. Either way, they are a fun challenge. Best of luck.

[Rlowell]

Welcome to the madness of Teardrops .
I uses a combination of Poly and paint thinner and 5 layers. Payed particular attention to the seams and edges. I then used the white primer and 4 coats of premium exterior paint from the box store. I also ended up with an "automotive dye" grade paint in order to "match" my tow vehicle's color. I have not seen any problems so far and do not anticipate any as well. Time will see.
Good luck and lots of pictures.

Rod

[planovet]

Sealing the plywood helps but I would also consider covering the exposed edges with trim or something similar to help keep water away.

My sides are painted ply but all the edges have been sealed AND either covered during construction or have a trim covering it up.

Everything you can do to minimize moisture contact to the exposed ends will help down the road.