Re: Wood decks
Woodonglass posted some good info on my thread about sealing cedar a different way... Ill try to post the info but u may need to check out the thread for a clearer picture... starts on page 4
Woodonglass: I'd apply a thinned coat of Epoxy to the wood. Then I'd use Epiphanes Marine varnish. It has great UV protective qualities. Put on 2 coats then while it's wet sprinkle on some sand. Then when it drys apply a third and final coat. This would give you a great Non-Skid deck. This is what the Wood Boat guys use on their 50K boats.
ME:I did a lot of research when it came to cedar for the finish... I even contacted the Western Red Cedar Lumbar Association this was the reply I received from the East Area Manager:
My Letter:
I am in the process of restoring an old aluminum fish and ski boat and would like to use cedar decking as the floor. What type of sealers and stains should I look for? Any recommendations on the best ones to use? This boat will not be kept in the water and the only time the wood should be wet would be while out on the lake other than that it will be stored covered in my yard. I know it this may be a different question then you are used to receiving but I figured I'd give it a shot. Any information would be great. Thank you for you time.
The Response:
DO NOT use a Marine Spar Varnish, Polyurethane of other clear 'film forming' finish or they will peel off the cedar and require sanding and refinishing. Instead use a coating that is designed to be refinished like a clear water repellent preservative, (Wolman Woodlife Classic for example) or a semi-transparent oil stain on the cedar. Paint or solid stain would work so long as the cedar has been primed using an alkyd stain blocking primer and it is applied before exposing the cedar to sunlight. The top coats can be either a solid (opaque) stain or a paint, and they should be 100% acrylic (water based).
Respectfully,
Ed Burke
Eastern Area Manager
Western Red Cedar Lumber Association
Would the application you mention be applicable towards cedar?
Woodonglass: That's why I said to SEAL it with the Thinned epoxy FIRST. The Oil in the Cedar WOULD have and adverse affect on the Spar Varnish BUT NOT the Epoxy. BUT.... epoxy has NO UV protection SOOOOOO you use the Spar Varnish that DOES have UV protection to Protect the Epoxy and provide additional waterproofing. It WILL work great on the cedar IF and ONLY if you seal it first with the thinned epoxy. Thin it 25% with Acetone. Take a sample piece of cedar and buy some 10 minute expoxy from Lowes. Mix it up and thin it with some acetone and apply it to the sample piece. Put a coat of Varnish on and Let it set for a week in the sun and see what happens. If the oil in the cedar is gunna make it cloud up or peel off you'll know in a week.
ME: How would maintenance work with that type of set up? Is it a one time thing or yearly sand and re app would be needed? Also I'm guessing the spar varnish would be applied immediately following app of thinned epoxy? Thanks for the suggestions and help
Woodonglass: If you put down the epoxy and then 2 coats of varnish, apply the sand and then another coat of varnish AND the boat is covered in the off season it should say looking VERY NICE for a minimum of 5 years. Some scuffs etc.. but NO fading or blotching. The Classic Wood boat guys use epiphanes on their boats and it stays looking good a long time. You'll like it.
Two Things. One the oils in the cedar. The acetone helps break them down and helps the Epoxy adhere to the wood fibers better and Two it Thins the epoxy to penetrate deeper and flow better and make it go further. Epoxy is ONLY needed to create a barrier for the Epiphanes Marine Varnish. The Oils in the Cedar will react negatively with the Varnish. Varnish is needed for the UV protection for the Epoxy.
HOPE THIS HELPS
