new dashboard!!!?what should I use to protect the wood!!!

[betayv]

hi there Im making a new dashboard for my boat I use marine grade plywood, I already cut the holes for all my gauges, my question is what I should use to protect the new piece of wood Im new on the boat restoration I read seome about epoxy and poly!!?what should I use and how I applied this like paint Im sorry If the questions sound dumb but I want to learn thanks.

 

[gcboat]

Re: new dashboard!!!?what should I use to protect the wood!!!

If you want to retain the wood grain finish use a good grade of marine spar varnish. If you just want to paint it then you'll need a couple of coats of wood primer topped of with two or three coats of paint - .
Either Easypoxy of Britesides are good products. I'd stay away from a two part paint simply for cost reasons. On something that small it just wouldn't make that big of a difference.

 

[smclear]

Re: new dashboard!!!?what should I use to protect the wood!!!

I would personally use varnish. My favorite is Epifanes but interlux is also very good. Nothing like the look of nicely varnished wood. There are some drawbacks though.

1. If your dash is going to be in the sun, you'll need to revarnish every other year at best, less often if kept shaded, but you'll always need to redo occasionally.

2. Applying varnish is labor intensive. It will required at least 7 coats beginning at a 50% mix of varnish and turpentine and gradually reducing the mix until you get to 95 - 100% pure varnish. You also have to sand inbetween each coat starting with a 120 grit and eventually finishing with a grit between 300 - 400.

It's worth it though. Makes for a beautiful piece when all is said and done.

 

[betayv]

Re: new dashboard!!!?what should I use to protect the wood!!!

thanks for the help I will have to decide or paint or varnish I will check what see better on the boat thanks again.