Marine Grade Plywood

[skrufy]

Well Boys and Girls-

I picked up 3 sheets of stamped Russian 5x5 Baltic Birch yesterday at $33.35 each, plus tax, plus $15 delivery fee to a town 75 miles from here. I think I did ok? What a difference in quality from the crap "marine grade" 5 ply construction grade 4x8 plywood, probably fir, that some supplier sent my local building supply store as "of course it meets BS 1088 for boats" marine plywood- maybe as supply crate material for the Titanic. Will be off and running here soon cutting out the frames. Will start on Vardo. Will keep everyone informed. Thank you to all for the input and help.

Tim

[Kudzu]

I picked up 3 sheets of stamped Russian 5x5 Baltic Birch yesterday ...................... What a difference in quality from the crap "marine grade" 5 ply construction grade 4x8 plywood,

Told you so!

No comparison is there? That is why I drive as far as I do to buy it. I LOVE that stuff!!

[bentg]

And now to advance your education on oil finish just a bit: the Watco Danish Oil is wonderful, but it is for interior applications. You should get the Watco Teak Oil instead, which is truly wonderful stuff.

[Hirilonde]

And now to advance your education on oil finish just a bit: the Watco Danish Oil is wonderful, but it is for interior applications. You should get the Watco Teak Oil instead, which is truly wonderful stuff.

Yup.

[skrufy]

Which is better?- I have a sufficient quantity of Tung Oil on hand, and will go buy some of the Teak Oil if I have to... I may even have some Teak Oil somewhere, as one time I had a jet boat with a Teak swim platform on the stern....

Tim

[bentg]

By Tung Oil, are you referring to the Watco Danish Oil? Dont' use that, it's for inside the house (or boat) only, out of the weather. If you are referring to something else called Tung Oil, it should work fine, though different Tung Oils have all sorts of different things in them.

[skrufy]

I have finished rummaging around in my paint locker and this is what I have to work with (besides the near gallon of Watco Danish Oil- that we are not going to use.....)

-Minwax Tung Oil- have maybe 60% of a quart can container

-Watco Teak Oil- almost a full quart

I like how the Tung Oil finishes when it's dry. Does the Teak oil give a hard surface finish like the Tung Oil? So the basic question- which to use, and why if you care to share your opinion/experience.

And thanks you once again.......

Tim

[Hirilonde]

By Tung Oil, are you referring to the Watco Danish Oil? Dont' use that, it's for inside the house (or boat) only, out of the weather. If you are referring to something else called Tung Oil, it should work fine, though different Tung Oils have all sorts of different things in them.

Yeah, it can get very confusing. Some day maybe they will stop letting marketing idiots design can labels. It looks like they go out of their way to make sure you don't know what is in the can. At least Fornbys tells you it is Tung Oil Finish and upon further reading describes it as a varnish. And even though the label does not say exterior or interior because it is marketed as a furniture finish you can assume it is not exterior, at least it is safer to do so.

I have finished rummaging around in my paint locker and this is what I have to work with (besides the near gallon of Watco Danish Oil- that we are not going to use.....)

-Minwax Tung Oil- have maybe 60% of a quart can container

-Watco Teak Oil- almost a full quart

I like how the Tung Oil finishes when it's dry. Does the Teak oil give a hard surface finish like the Tung Oil? So the basic question- which to use, and why if you care to share your opinion/experience.

And thanks you once again.......

Tim

You have probably been using a Tung oil finish which is really a varnish that contains Tung oil. Unless it specifically states that it is for exterior use it likely is not. For the frame of a kayak we are looking for a penetrating sealer with some UV protection. Because we store them indoors or under cover it does not need a great UV shield, but what ever is used needs to be formulated for the express purpose of getting wet. To get back to real basics you can use boiled Linseed oil. That has been used on bare wood in boats for hundreds of years. If you are using a modern material look for one expressly formulated for out door use, or even better for marine use.