Saturating Epoxy on Plywood

[kengrome]

Ethylene Glycol is a fine preservative in timber builds, not so much in plywood (the glue lines prevent penetration).

Technically the EG can pass through the WBP Phenol Formaldehyde glues used in marine plywood construction. However, in the 'real world' where EG is applied by hand (not pressure) and is absorbed into the wood rather than forced into it, I doubt that enough of it actually reaches the core plies to treat them effectively against rot.

With multiple applications it may get into the core plies enough to poison them against rot, but who applies EG multiple times? I put it on once, then I let the wood dry thoroughly before I start gluing it. Even if it only treats the face plies that's fine with me. Epoxy will never get past the glue layers and into the core plies anyways, so by using EG I'm basically treating my face plies and possibly also enhancing the epoxy's bond to those plies.

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Note that Copper Naphthenate is likely to be longer lasting and maybe even more effective against rot than EG, but as far as I know no one has ever done any testing to determine CN's effects on the epoxy-to-wood bond ...

The guys at Merichem think that because the carrier in their water-borne CN formulation is based on amines (which exist in most epoxies) that a 'chemical affinity' might enhance the bonding of epoxy to the wood after a CN treatment. But they are just theorizing about this, and they haven't done any tests to confirm one way or another, so the effects might be just the opposite for all they know.

I would be interested in seeing some tests in this regard, but I cannot do them myself because as far as I've been able to determine they do not have any CN in this country nor do they allow it to be imported. Too bad because termites eat everything here and CN is an extremely effective (and inexpensive) termite pesticide too.

[Meanz Beanz]

Its the end grain that concerns me the most.

[the1much]

1 time i was working on an old wooden 65' "novi",,had to spray the wood with some awful green stuff that was pose to keep everything from rotting,,,,,they found me in the "hold" laying on my back sleepin,,hehe ,,,man i had a headache for 3 days.

[kengrome]

Green is the typical color of copper based fungicides and pesticides. It may have been Copper Naphthenate you used. You're not supposed to breathe the stuff! It's probably lucky they found you and got you out of there or we might not have your posts to enjoy these days ...

[Landlubber]

Hey much, that explains a lot, now we understand!

[the1much]

hahahaha,,,,i told you guys that it was the overuse of "fumes" that was my prob!!!! not my "meds" hehe

[Meanz Beanz]

[the1much]

ahhaha,,,,,mornin Beanzy

[waikikin]

Meanz, where can I get one of them scoobed out emoticons? All the best from Jeff.

[the1much]

hehe,,,i just steal em from him,,haha