Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

[nedL]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

Why? (In other words, not something I would do,)

Almost all of my boats are classic clinker (lapstrake) too.

[Nicholas Carey]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

Please correct me if I am wrong, but fungi that live in damp wood cause wet rot. Preventing the timber from getting damp would be the typical course of action. Water in the bilge and poor ventilation are my problems, so I know what to do. Additionally, I am replacing most of the ribs as the fungi have been very busy in the bilge area. Apart from the typical treatments such as CPE and Red Oxide Primer, I would like to waterproof the rib parts that live in the bilge, as I may not be able to waterproof the hull. The boat is a classic clinker built in 1963 with maintenance issues. I acquired her two months ago.

1. I doubt very much that ABS plastic adheres terribly well to wood.

2. Your frames [will] have fasteners in and through them. Even if you completely encapsulated each frame, you would still get moisture intrusion.

3. Plank on frame hulls work (flex) when under way, exacerbating the issue in #2 above.

4. Coating the frame with plastic will slow down the rate at which the frame dries out.

If you were to do something like this, use a good laminating epoxy — System Three, West System, MAS are all reputable brands here in North America (no idea what's what on the east side of The Pond) — something with a proven track record.

But... doing things the traditional way on a traditionally-built wooden boat, where you use bronze fasteners or copper rivets, prime the faying surfaces with red lead, paint the frames and the bilge with red lead and finish it with a gloss enamel topcoat (use a light color as it makes it easier to see what's going on), should be good for 40-50 years at least, assuming you use a good framing timber.

Meranti is Shorea spp. aka luan. Not durable and not terribly strong. Not sure I would use that for a structural member.

[heimlaga]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

Around here we always try to fill the cells of the wood with something that stays there so they cannot be filled with water. Following the principle that no surface treatment will keep the water out of the wood anyway.

One or another mix of raw linseed oil and something slightly poisonous is the normal treatment. I use a mix of 8-9 parts raw linseed oil to 1-2 parts Valtti Grundolja (a commercial primer oil for facades made in Sweden). On top of that some mixture of pine tar and boiled linseed oil to produce a permeable surface unfriendly to fungi.

[Greaterspirits]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

Thanks for all the constructive feedback. Really appreciate it. I will stay away from the ABS slurry.

As far as the framing timber, agree with Nicholas ... I should use a more durable timber such as white oak. However, I already have this pile of meranti and decided to make one frame with it to see how that is holding up. And I must say, it turned out pretty well. Used Titebond III (a test also) for the four-piece lamination. Yeah I know this glue is not rated for use below the waterline and structural applications. Based on personal experience, this glue is doing great under all circumstances.

[wizbang 13]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

oak more durable than meranti ? hahahahahahahahahaha

[Greaterspirits]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

What is more durable ... oak or meranti?

Here some data on the matter:

https://www.wood-database.com/white-oak/

https://www.wood-database.com/dark-red-meranti/

https://www.wood-database.com/light-red-meranti/

[alfredparker360]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

By carefully sealing the painting ribs with ABS slurry, the artist took proactive measures to combat wet rot. This thoughtful approach highlighted their commitment to preserving the structural integrity of the artwork, allowing it to shine for years to come.

[Nicholas Carey]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

That's a new flavour of 'bot

[Greaterspirits]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

Use borax, in the form of Timbore, Scot's polar exploration ship Endeavour is now pickled in borax.

Sounds like a plan ... https://acbs-bslol.com/restoration/s...nt/d97woodrot/

[CJM]

Re: Painting ribs with ABS slurry to prevent wet rot?

No on ABS and any material that seals the wood including paint. My 33 ft sloop is 1934 build and have had it since 1973. Every year a gallon of copper nathnate is sprayed in bilge, stem and transom. It does the job and is an annual process after the dry hull is vacuumed in the spring.