Seal Underside of Deck ?

[Jack G]

It's time to lay down the 1/4" plywood deck on my Bobcat, and I would like to know if anyone has experience sealing the underneath with resin (polyester or epoxy)

[Ian McColgin]

I'd recommend CPES. No need for paint under there. CPES will let vapor pass and still help keep the deck plywood from delaminating.

[Randy Sweet]

I use Deks Ole for the underside of my decks and for the inside sides of my mahogany hull and it works fine.

[Bob Smalser]

People do it, but I'm no fan of encapsulated wood. Repair the plywood-core transom of a 30-year-old glass boat sometime to see what I'm talking about....if water ever gets in, you have big trouble.

Think 50 years ahead and let the wood breathe on at least one side..CPES sounds perfect.

[ 09-25-2003, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: Bob Smalser ]

[Jack G]

I can't find CPES in any of my catalogs.
Anybody have a brand name or chemical name ?

[jlapratt]

Jack,

I can't help but take the piss out of you. Never heard of CPES? I guess you don't frequent this forum often. CPES is probably the second most disputed topic here besides one's political persuasion. ;)

Use the search thingy on CPES and you'll be agahst at the volume. I second the use of CPES on the underside of your deck.

Best of luck and thanks for letting me joke around.

Jeff

[Venchka]

Originally posted by Jack G:
I can't find CPES in any of my catalogs.
Anybody have a brand name or chemical name ?Smith & Co. Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer.

Smith & Co.
5100 Channel Ave.
Richmond, CA 94804

Mon - Fri
8:30 - 4:00 pm P.S.T.
Sat
10:00 - 3:00pm

1-510-237-6842
1-800-234-0330

Before you fork over way too much money to one of the Internet vendors, CALL Smith & Co. and ask them if there are any retailers in your area. Ask if a full service paint company near you sells the identical product under the Restore-It label. That is how I found a source here in New Orleans and saved almost 30% over the list price quoted on the Internet. My net price for C.P.E.S. was the same as the paint and varnish that went over it.

[JimD]

Jack, by Bobcat you mean the Bolger/Payson 12 foot instant boat? A lovely boat to be sure and no doubt your pride and joy and we all encourage you to build her right but one of the things that happens on this forum is that almost everyone will advise you on how to build the best boat every made in the history of boat building. CPES is expensive. Twer it me I'd see what Home Depot has on the shelf.