My wife and I spend several days creating plywood yard art only to have the elements eat it up. Is there a good protective coating that will prevent the plywood from absorbing moisture? I use a Kilns primer and let it dry for at least 48hrs and a rattle can clear for final coat.
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
Hi Terry, Welcome to Letterville. When you say the elements are eating it up, what is happening? Is the sign peeling, flaking, fading etc. If you could be more specific, I'll hazard a guess. Terry
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Sounds like you used regular plywood?
If so ...next time use m.d.o. (medium density overlay) it's a "sign board" plywood with a plastisized paper overlay.
You will not need a clear (which won't hold up anyway). Just good exterior paints (latex or enamel).
m.d.o. (or brand named Duraply) cost more but then again you will avoid this problem...(up to you which is more expensive).
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Terry Briggs, From your profile I see you are not in the business. That's fine, just pay close attention to the terminology you get from us, because we're used to speaking with othes who are familiar with the lingo. When Monte says MDO he really means it, and I'll add that there is virtually nothing you can do to standard A/C or Marine plywood or any of the other plywoods available from the builders supply that will stop the surface from hopelessly checking after a relatively short time outdoors. MDO is a miracle compared to the others.
Also - do not be mislead if you run into a product called Medex or waterproof MDF. Awesome to work with, and cheap, but a disaster outdoors.
Sorry to say, your project cannot be saved by any efforts short of maybe fiberglassing it. Your brutal Tampa climate doesn't help.
