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I went down to the local supply house to get some inexpensive exterior plywood, to make some new access panels for the crawl-space under our house.
The CDX sheeting was ugly and full of knot-holes; but the rep told me to use lauan (luan) plywood. I've never thought this stuff was for outdoor use (think cheap paneling). But he assured me that, if I was going to paint it (which I am), it would work fine.
It looks very nice, close grain, 5 plies, and quite smooth. It's 3/8 of an inch thick, and pretty rigid. I think it'll work; but I really don't want to be doing this project over in a year or two.
Anybody have any experience with this stuff? I'm considering, with a couple coats of primer, and some good sanding, the surface might even be smooth and nice enough to try a sign on....someday.
-------------------- Bill'n'Annie Davidson Heathcote, NSW, Aus. my Aussie wife, a Toohey's Old, my Holden Ute, Retired from the rat race! Posts: 309 | From: Heathcote, NSW, Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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They make two different grades of Lauan plywood one is interior the pther is exterior. Make sure you get the exterior grade it has waterproof glue while the inerior is not waterproof and will delaminate!
-------------------- Brian Vinyl Signs Pittsburgh, PA. Posts: 159 | From: Pgh., PA | Registered: Mar 2009
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crawl space entry covers? mine is 2 ft above grade. only got 1 opening that is 2'x 3' roughly. mine has a steel/iron grate sorta like you on the doors at the local propane tank cage. sine it is a small door.why not try some of that new plastic-saw dust deck boards??? people who have boat decks love this stuff....NEVER WILL ROT.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've got 4 of them, Joe. Two in the back of the house are about 2 and 1/2 by 8 feet. Two on the side are about 1 and 1/2 by 2 feet. Those are going to be metal grilles. It's the back ones I'm concerned with.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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I had a client that was ordering a number of interior signs. Some were stained to let the grain show, some needed to be light weight, so I ended up using the thin Luan sheets on a lot of it. I was impressed by the way it handles, and the price. Then, as a promotional gag for my father in law's piano shop, I made a full sized L. V. Beethoven cut-out from the same material. This was coated front and back, plus the edges. I only used it at his shop for a few hours at a time, but during one of the intervals, it was outside here for a couple months, probably more. It didn't weather much at all. I was really surprised. FYI, my father in law passed away, now the composer stands in the barn's hay loft. Gives visitors a startle. Go ahead and say it, I'm strange; it won't bother me.
[ October 13, 2014, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: James Donahue ]
-------------------- James Donahue Donahue Sign Arts 1851 E. Union Valley Rd. Seymour TN. (865) 577-3365 brushman@nxs.net
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what's for lunch, Benjamin Franklin Posts: 2057 | From: 1033 W. Union Valley Rd. | Registered: Feb 2003
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