anyone ever sealed wood on boats with thompsons waterseal?

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jfetter20

jfetter20

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ive been thinking about leaving some of the wood on my boat exposed and just using a really good sealer like thompsons waterseal? anyone ever tried it before? will it tear up aluminum like pressure treated lumber will?
 
Several have used it. Won't hurt the aluminum; however, there are much better choices. Spar urethane would be at the top of the list for me.
 
I actually just used Thompson's for my modification. Although I didn't leave any exposed wood, I carpeted mine. Before doing my mod, there were many options presented to me, but Thompsons was most readily available for me and so I used that. Have only had my boat out once, so I can't give you any idea of what the long term effects of using Thompsons would be. I hope it works, or else I'm in trouble!
 
Not in the boat all the wood on the trailer has several coats of Thompsons.
 
I agree with the resin, but you'll need a coat of paint over it. The uv rays cause the resin to break down and soak in moisture. I've just covered a new plywood center console with the resin and plan on it lasting as long as the boat, with a little maintenance, it will.
 
gouran01 said:
I agree with the resin, but you'll need a coat of paint over it. The uv rays cause the resin to break down and soak in moisture. I've just covered a new plywood center console with the resin and plan on it lasting as long as the boat, with a little maintenance, it will.
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mine is covered in carpet, so I dont think UV rays can get to it
 
Hay Fet. When you say," A really good sealer like Thompson's." in this forum, you just might as well sit down on a fire-ant hill with your drawers pulled down. Bout the only thing we agree on round here is that Thompson's has good name recognition and a lousy product. Something called spar varnish urethane or close to that gets talked about a lot. Don't worry about any reactions with your aluminum.
 
Hooky1420 said:
I actually just used Thompson's for my modification. Although I didn't leave any exposed wood, I carpeted mine. Before doing my mod, there were many options presented to me, but Thompsons was most readily available for me and so I used that. Have only had my boat out once, so I can't give you any idea of what the long term effects of using Thompsons would be. I hope it works, or else I'm in trouble!
Click to expand...
Hooky, With carpet over Thompson's over exterior grade ply with a boat cover, your wood should last for years. It's not the getting wet that does the wood in. It's the getting wet, staying wet, long term UV exposure, wet freezing to ice and all the things that exposed wood has to got through. Fet is talking about the open wood look and that is a differant ball game.
 
tccanoe said:
wet freezing to ice and all the things that exposed wood has to got through.
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I guess I have a couple things working for me then... I live in South Florida, and I've never seen the water freeze to ice down here!!!

...and I truly hope that the decking lasts for years. At least 3, because I would hope I would be ready to do my next modification by then on a 16-foot Grizzly. (Wish List)
 
Yes, used it on my boat project a few years ago, still no problems.

I put three coats on, let it set over night per coat. Gotta do a good job for this stuff to hold up.

I even have it on bare wood in the water with my sonar tacked to it and its still fine.

All in All I'd use it again :)
 
msumoose said:
As a wood scientist by trade and education, here is my professional opinion....

Thompson's is a waste of money...all it is is a wax emulsion that will last a few weeks. The wax will 'float' off sooner or later. It ony sits on top of the wood, with little adhesion.

Next best is a oil based paint or stain or poly. This group includes paints, stains, varnishes, urethanes etc. This does not seal the wood totally, but does a MUCH better job than Thompson's. Has some adhesion but, again, it sits on top of the wood.

A better alternative that the oil based is a vinylester resin used for fiberglass. This will penetrate the wood and encapsulate as well. Three coats is gonna last a LONG time. Make sure to do all edges, sides and penetrations (SCREW HOLES). Basically anywhere water could possibly get. There are many, many million dollar sportfishing boats that use this philosophy that are DECADES old with no rot.

The best sealant IMHO is an epoxy fiberglass resin, used the same way. A little upgrade in technology and durability as well.

Another thing to consider is that using the oil based systems, any carpet put down over them is adhering to the finish and not the wood. Concievably, one mav be able to pull up the carpet and have finish clinging to it instead of the wood. Not a good situation.

Just my $0.02
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https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16067
 

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