Using poly resin without glass

[Jim Hawkins]

I have a piece of plywood decking I made for a boat I'm working on. I want to cover it with glass eventually but in the meantime while I'm working on the boat and making adjustments, I just want to waterproof it while I test the boat and fit things.
I thought I might just mix up some resin and give it a coat without glass just to seal it and when I'm satisfied with my plan sand it and finish it with glass.
Nuttin wrong with that, right?

 

[Pmt133]

I will preface this with the fact that I am not a professional and this is just based on what I've read and seen others do any my own limited experience working with the stuff...

I don't see a major issue with it... I would just do a so called "primer" coat.... The only issue I think you can run into is if you're using an unwaxed poly resin, your deck will stay tacky if you have it in place and are walking around on it. My boat was in a garage so glassing the deck was one of the last things I did so I was just walking on bare plywood instead of the resin grabbing everything on my boots or suit. The other issue I had was the deck needed to be finished to build the side boxes as they bonded on the finished deck. So compromises were made.

I would mix up a batch with the lower end of MEKP recommended and roll it on light and then rough sand like you said when ready to glass. Some people like to thin with styrene for a true primer coat...

 

[88 Capri (2022 SOTY)]

I used 2 coats of resin on bare wood because one coat will soak in quite a bit, I wiped generously with acetone before the first coat and in between the 2.

 

[Drivewayboater2]

Agree with capri…. 2 coats. Depending on type of wood you are using it’s gonna soak in pretty good. I did light sanding and acetone in between coats.
I coated all wood when doing my seat rebuilding. I wanted to be sure the wood would last underneath the seat cushions.

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Great, Thanks!!