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Old 04-14-2015, 07:44 AM   #1
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Painting unfinished wood

I am having ETI fully wrap my cushions not using vinyl backing, so I am planning to paint or coat the unfinished wood. Any suggestions on what to use?

What other unfinished wood have others choosen to paint or stain?

Thank you!
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Old 04-14-2015, 07:57 AM   #2
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Linda, if you first use a good primer, then just about any latex paint will work. I would use a semi-gloss, or high-gloss, finish. Remember to let the paint breathe a lot as it cures. A latex paint will take 28 days to cure, though will be serviceable within a week.

Alternately, you could use a good polyurethane to coat and seal the wood. This would work just as good too, it just depends on how you want them to look, which is not too big of a deal, as the wood is covered in use anyway.
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Old 04-14-2015, 09:05 AM   #3
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Hi Linda,
I used polyurethane on my old trailer and it worked great. Having the wood sealed with polyurethane to me does make the trailer feel a little more well finished. Kind of more like a piece of furniture. The other thing I found was it seemed a little more easier to clean out the cabinets. With that being said it was a lot of work adding a coat of sealer then three coats of polyurethane . The other disclaimer I have to tell you I have not done this to my new trailer yet maybe someday.
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Old 04-14-2015, 09:19 AM   #4
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If you use a clear urethane finish, you would not need a sealer, and a couple coats would do just fine. If it was a finished surface you use regularly, then a third would really help with wear.

Is Escape still using OSB for the platform under the seat cushions?
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Old 04-14-2015, 09:35 AM   #5
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.....
Is Escape still using OSB for the platform under the seat cushions?
When we were at ETI in November, that's one of the things I wanted to confirm, and I saw nothing but plywood around, including on the scrap/trash pile outside.

The only OSB was on the walls throughout their factory. I'm sure glad they have fire sprinklers.
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Old 04-14-2015, 09:42 AM   #6
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Jim,
I like to use a seal coat for a sanding sealer because it penetrates the surface deeper than just polyurethane and dries quicker.
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Old 04-14-2015, 09:49 AM   #7
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Jim,
I like to use a seal coat for a sanding sealer because it penetrates the surface deeper than just polyurethane and dries quicker.
That's my method too. A coat of sanding sealer, sand it, then a coat or two of poly. Makes a nice smooth finish on plywood.
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Old 04-14-2015, 10:06 AM   #8
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Is Escape still using OSB for the platform under the seat cushions?
Jim,
On my 2014 trailer ETI used a pretty nice well sanded grade plywood under the seat cushions.
Mark
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Old 04-14-2015, 10:29 AM   #9
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Good idea, the bench seat under the rear dinette is warping pretty bad. Sealing everything might help any of the rest joining it.
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Old 04-14-2015, 10:31 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by dfandrews View Post
When we were at ETI in November, that's one of the things I wanted to confirm, and I saw nothing but plywood around, including on the scrap/trash pile outside.

The only OSB was on the walls throughout their factory. I'm sure glad they have fire sprinklers.
OSB is just structurally just as strong, or stronger than plywood can be, and is no more flammable. Lots of these old myths still abound. Plywood is much better for putting a finish product on though.

We use sanding sealers a lot on wood, but only only as required. If you are using lacquer, or a water based finish, a sealer does help stop contaminates from coming to the surface. They are also useful if you are staining a softer wood (like regular plywood), as they eliminate the blotchiness that may occur otherwise. If you are just clear coating, there is no need for using a sanding sealer if using a varnish or polyurethane.
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Old 04-14-2015, 11:41 AM   #11
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OSB is just structurally just as strong, or stronger than plywood can be, and is no more flammable. Lots of these old myths still abound. Plywood is much better for putting a finish product on though.

.....
Agreed, that OSB is structurally an excellent choice. However, plywood, having discrete veneer layers, has more initial resistance to degradation by water. OSB soaks it up and swells quite nicely.
I did mention the OSB on the walls, as it is not as an effective membrane for fire-protection as gypsum board. Gypsum is a hydrated calcium salt that aids in fire attenuation when heated, thus driving off the water.
I am aware of a somewhat contradictory test by Warnock Hersey that was commissioned by the OSB industry. So, the beat goes on!
But, fire sprinklers are very, very effective. We like them; they save lives and property.
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Old 04-14-2015, 03:53 PM   #12
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Hmm OSB Flammability perhaps this might show it is not really all that flammable :}

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That is a piece of Cold Rolled Steel fresh off the abrasive wheel chop saw, was dull red in shop light so call it about 800 Deg F. Hot enough to cause the osb to smoke but no flame showed. Ahh gotta love the smell of steel being cut and the smell of wood smoke :}

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Old 04-14-2015, 03:58 PM   #13
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If you're really worried call and have one of these systems installed :}


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Old 04-14-2015, 05:21 PM   #14
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OSB ...is not really all that flammable
Where did the notion occur that OSB is really all that flammable?

The topic was painting of unfinished wood: sorry to have de-railed it.
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Old 04-14-2015, 08:53 PM   #15
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Shellac works very well as a sealer, dries real fast, can apply finish coats right after. Almost all types finish and paints, be it water base or oil can be used. Carl
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