Plywood Seat Base

timetraveller

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Be careful. I wanted some proper marine ply a few months ago and went on line to search for a supplier. Most of the people who claimed to be able to supply marine ply were supplying water and boil proof which is not the same thing at all.
 

Dave61

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Non-VOC Member
Be careful. I wanted some proper marine ply a few months ago and went on line to search for a supplier. Most of the people who claimed to be able to supply marine ply were supplying water and boil proof which is not the same thing at all.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Norman, most ply in the UK will be WBP but proper Marine Ply will be as per Glen's post & only from specialist suppliers.
Cheers
Dave
 

Albervin

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VOC Member
Taking nothing away from Glen's erudite and thorough post. If you coat the lot with a few coats of wet on wet Penetrol I think the seat will last for a few decades. I have a stupid fondness for Riley cars built with timber framework. While the type of timber is VERY important it is the final finish that makes all the difference. When ALL holes have been drilled then lay on the Penetrol into every crevice and the job is done. I have seen a car which was rebuilt only five years ago where this was not done. I could almost lift the roof off the body due to rot.
 

ClassicBiker

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VOC Member
Not challenging Glen's post about how the laminates are laid in marine ply vs regular ply as I don't know either way. But if each ply is laid at 45 degrees to the previous ply it would be very strong compared to regular ply. I would also think that vendors would tout this and the standard to which it is manufactured. But the majority suppliers I looked at didn't. Some did mention BS 1088 which seems to be the standard that Lloyd's prefer and the one that was touted most. There were other standards for marine but they seem all to be concerned with the glue (waterproof and boil proof) used, the dimensional tolerance for a standard sized sheet, the moisture content when leaving the plant, whether both sides were sanded or not, the lack of voids, and the type of wood used. But those vendors who seemed to be solely concerned with the marine industry and not with just manufactured woods, all referred to BS 1088 as the standard to which their marine ply was manufactured too.
Given the price that gets attached to marine ply, if I was in the market for some I would be asking how the plys are laid and to what standard it is manufactured.
Steven
 

Dave61

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
If you are going to make a new base then use a product like Penetrol to seal the surfaces. Drill all the holes then brush at least two coats (wet on wet). I then painted the base in black paint as per original. Also it is a good idea to sand any sharp edges around the perimeter. Do not be tempted to use staples either, they are just a lazy and ugly fix.

Just wondered what the alternative to staples was, is it upholstery tacks ?
Pretty sure all the replacement seats I've seen recently have staples.
Cheers
Dave
 
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