wall question

[UK-Brian]

I'm needing some advise, I'm starting my construction and not sure how to go with my walls. I am going to build a 10' tear and not sure if I should join the ply with epoxy or go with the traditional woodie style and hide the seam with trim. so here's my question if I go with the woodie style do I still have/need to cover the whole tear with epoxy? Or is there something else I can do?


please give your opinion, thanks Brian

[Miriam C.]

You don't have to use epoxy but it helps. You will still need to put on a uv protector. I joined mine with Gorilla glue and it made a foamy mess. I used a but joint and a backing board. It is still out there.

[OuttaHand]

If you are looking for the classic beauty of a woodie style camper, you can achieve it.

First -- 10' long plywood is available. My nephew got me some that was 4'x10' so I did NOT need a seam in the wall anywhere. That makes things a lot stronger and cleaner looking. It's not cheap mind you. I paid almost $100 PER SHEET for the stuff (with delivery). But I think it's worth it. That is my exterior sheet of wood. One side is grade 'A' stainable. You may have to go to a small-town, old-school lumber company to order it. The big-box board stores might not know how to special-order it.

For the finishing coat, I used a product called CPES. Stands for Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer. Do a Google search and you'll find it. Again, it's not cheap. But everything I read said it was worth it. It is a thin (like water) two-part epoxy coating. You stain your wood as you normally would. After it's thoroughly dry, you apply the CPES with a brush or roller.

You can see more on my build log here:
http://webpages.charter.net/outtahand/littletow/index.htm

[Pizzaguy]

You don't need a backing board to extend your plywood. Just fibreglass mat & epoxy.



That's Cherry on left & Birch on the right.

Here's what it looks like on tear....




You could feasibly make this any size!

[MarkD]

Pizzaguy, I've always liked that birch/cherry wall.

We went with a marine spar varnish because I felt more comfortable working with it. It does yellow the wood, so if you go this route definite color test the stain with the varnish.

[pete42]

I've looked for that cherry & Birch plywood is it special order?

I really know you made it very nice looking by the way.

pete