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One of my wood signs has been getting hit continuously with water from a sprinkler head resulting in a section about 6" x 3" of rotted wood. After convincing the sign owner to move the sprinkler head, I want to repair the wood. What's the best product for this job. I have used some putty products in the past to fill in the area where the rot has been removed, but I noticed that some of these prodcts shrink and crack in a short period of time. Any suggestions? Thanks.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1285 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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Good question!! First thing I'd do is to make sure all is dry...sort of wait out the winter and before the spring rains haul it into the shop and effect repairs. 1/ chip out all the worst areas and dry flake 2/ quick prime with west system according to instructions 3/ add the required fillers as per manufacturers recommends 4/ sand smooth and re-paint Good luck!
I saw some stuff in a full service paint store that is a watery liquid. You let it soak into the bad wood, and when it dries the wood becomes petrified. I can't remember what it's called, but I can make a call in the morning to find out, if you like. It's used primarily for old houses.
I believe rotten wood is like cancer though, and anything you do, short of cutting out the bad section, is just going to be a short term remedy. I haven't used the stuff mentioned above, but it did seem interesting...............
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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I have done similar repairs like Steve recommends, the cut peices can then be finish of will a filler , i use Bondo. One thing I would recommend and its not carved in stone, but purchase a moisture meter and check the rest of the sign for moisture.
I've had to redo signs that were not fully dried of ALL moisture, hence I trapped the water in to only come out in the hot sun. Even if it feals dry it may contain water I beleive especially in your given situation.
I've seen moisture meters for around 200 bucks, I thought that was high so I renigged, only to spend more money later redoing the sign or eating the cost of a redo in a new sign.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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I just did some a couple months ago. Cleaned out the loose rotted stuff. Took the sawdust from the belt sander bag used to sand the sign. Mixed it in the westsystem epoxy. Filled the holes(some of them big) sanded and painted You can hardly tell it was patched.
I like the "insert piece of same species" method better but it wouldn't have worked in this particular case.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7405 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Using a moisture meter is a good idea. But you're not going to eliminate all of the moisture content from within the wood. Depending on the wood species, you can expect a normal content percentage of somewhere between 10 to 13 (maybe 15)% in an exterior location. Indoors would give a normal reading from 4 to 8%. These are normal amounts & cause no problems. Anything above them causes problems. Percentages in the range of 17 to 25% are an indication of a moisture problem. This varies among species but 30% or more is considered totally saturated. Saturated woods are magnets for wood eating bugs & other microscopic creatures which love to drink a lot of water with their meal. They break down the cellular structure & the resistance of water retention. The meter with its 2 prongs measures the percentage of resistance by how much current is allowed to flow between them.
I've stabbed many a board in appropriate locations in order to determine if there were any problems. Saved a few signs & was able to prolong the inevitable future of one. Coatings are known to break down & having a moisture meter around is a great help. Whenever I'm asked to make a sign which will go on existing posts, the meter determines if the posts are ok to use. The meter has many uses wherever water damage in wood is suspected.
(edited in) A sure indication of rot is if the prongs go in WAY too easy. Although this doesn't help your current problem the meter can help determine the extent of the damaged area; which could be greater than you think.
[ August 09, 2003, 09:28 AM: Message edited by: Bill Cosharek ]
-------------------- Bill Cosharek Bill Cosharek Signs N.Huntingdon,Pa
bcosharek@juno.com Posts: 704 | From: N.Huntingdon, Pa, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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