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Waterproofing plywood for outdoors

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  • 05-02-2024 11:38am
    #1
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,475 ✭✭✭✭


    Folks, I want to make a plywood waterwheel as a test for hydro on a small river.

    Obviously it will only be a temporary thing but what could I treat the plywood with to get the longest out of it.


    maybe something like this ??

    https://www.owatrol.ie/product/h4-wood/



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    #2
    cnocbui
    Registered Users Posts: 19,702 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Marine plywood and then coat it with epoxy.



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    #3
    Danzy
    Registered Users Posts: 13,265 ✭✭✭✭Danzy


    OSB with epoxy.


    Sounds like a great idea, hope you take lots of photos.



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    #4
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,475 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    Mmmm

    Would a few coats of yacht varnish give osb decent protection. EPOXY might run a bit too much money.

    plan is 1.5 meter diameter to the wheel.



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    #5
    The Continental Op
    Registered Users Posts: 6,219 ✭✭✭The Continental Op


    Assuming this isn't going to be permanent then to get the best out of your plywood then you need to seal the ends. Anything that soaks in will help and that owtrol product will do a decent job at that. However having used a lot of owtrol based products after soaking the end grain and painting the surface with it I suggest you do a coat all over with a 50:50 owtrol:paint mix.

    Wake me up when it's all over.



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    #6
    cnocbui
    Registered Users Posts: 19,702 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Epoxy sourced via ebay isn't likely to cost much more than that.



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    #7
    Le shovelle
    Registered Users Posts: 74 ✭✭Le shovelle


    Tricoya mdf is worth looking at



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    #8
    _Brian
    Registered Users Posts: 18,475 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121725094#Comment_121725094

    Any chance you could suggest something ?



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    #9
    Lumen
    Registered Users Posts: 31,009 ✭✭✭✭Lumen


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121724466#Comment_121724466

    Yacht varnish has better UV resistance than epoxy, is prob cheaper and safer but will require at least three coats .

    Epoxy can probably be done in one and might have better resistance to abrasion. I think I'd trust epoxy more in this application particularly if you have joints or fixings - you can fine tune the thickness with thickening agent and gloop it all over. I get mine from the local marine supplies place. Protect your skin, epoxy can trigger really bad skin reactions.



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    #10
    Jnealon
    Registered Users Posts: 2,058 ✭✭✭Jnealon


    Have ordered from easy composites a few times, very reasonable



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    #11
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,034 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    If its only temporary, I would probably just use melamine or something and seal the open ends with some cheap varnish.

    Either that or try to find some cheap, used polycarbonate.



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    #12
    GreeBo
    Registered Users Posts: 27,034 ✭✭✭✭GreeBo


    Or maybe some composite decking boards?



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    #13
    basill
    Registered Users Posts: 1,348 ✭✭✭basill


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058334736/waterproofing-plywood-for-outdoors

    Search out Marty T on youtube. He uses an old washing machine for free electricity.



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