To Paint or Not to Paint....

[Chuck Gibson]

I am putting carpet in the bottom of my 60 something Sears aluminum V-hull. I have cut exterier plywood for the seats and plan to carpet them as well. Should I paint the plywood to seal it up or leave it raw. In the past I have seen painted wood under seats that looks solid yet when you grab or touch them you find that they are only a paint shell holding rotted wood. By not painting them they will dry after getting wet. If water gets under the paint on painted seats, it is sealed in and rots.
What are you guys thoughts?
Thanks,
Chuck

 

[NathanY]

Is it marine plywood or pressure treated plywood? Not the same.

 

[Chuck Gibson]

Just regular exterior grade plywood. It will be kept under a carport and will be used only in freshwater.

 

[Woodonglass]

Here's what I'd recommend to seal the plywood. LOT's of our members have used it with great results. Make sure to follow the directions to a "T" especially soaking the edges and finishing with 2-3 full coats of the Poly!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Is this plywood going on top of an aluminum bench or across the hull from bracket to bracket?

 

[Chuck Gibson]

Across from bracket to bracket.There is also a kind of well that bolts to the bottom of the seats that hold blocks of foam.

 

[Chuck Gibson]

If I seal the wood should I only use carpet glue to attach the outdoor carpet to the seats? If I also use staples it seems as if it would break the seal and defeat the purpose.

 

[Woodonglass]

The sealer Deeply penetrates the wood, however if you use staples I'd recommend painting sealer over the staples too so it would penetrate the staple holes.

 

[Chuck Gibson]

I read that Weldwood is the best glue to use attaching the carpet to the aluminum hull as well as the would. What is your opinion?

 

[Woodonglass]

IMHO i agree. The solvent Weldwood is 100% waterproof and if applied to both the Carpet and the Wood...Well let's just say, I don't want to be the one that has to try to remove it.:nono:

 

[Chuck Gibson]

LOL. The old carpet has some kind of glue under it and I have been scraping with a putty knife trying to remove it.

 

[ondarvr]

The carpet will rot the wood rather quickly, even when sealed with the mix mentioned it probably won't last long. And why would you want to carpet the seats, a wet butt is something I don't look forward to.

Carpet holds water and will keep the ply wet for many days, or even months, after each trip. If this is used for fishing, just paint the wood, use a little nonskid in the mix. This will last a long time and is very easy to touch up.

 

[Chuck Gibson]

I know you guys don't like bringing back really old threads but I just wanted to say Thank You to the folks that helped me on this. The work has held up well. The seats have surface cracks and don't look to good but the integrity of the wood is still good.
Thanks again!

 

[Woodonglass]

So how did you seal the wood?

 

[jbcurt00]

I know you guys don't like bringing back really old threads but I just wanted to say Thank You to the folks that helped me on this. The work has held up well. The seats have surface cracks and don't look to good but the integrity of the wood is still good.
Thanks again!

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