How to Use Epoxy, Part 1 - Coating Plywood for a Paint or Varnish Finish

GET MORE EPOXY VIDEOS: www.offcenterharbor.com/yt-ep...
For your next project, let Eric Blake walk you through using an epoxy buildup coat before painting or varnishing bare plywood.
We also have epoxy lessons from master Russell Brown.
Off Center Harbor is the world's leading video website for high-quality instructional boating videos - with masterclasses on how to build, maintain, and repair boats. The crew of Off Center Harbor also travels the world bringing you aboard hundreds of the best classic boats across the planet.
Learn more and get 10 of our best boat videos here: www.offcenterharbor.com/good-...

[@wootle]

This is one of those videos where 10 seconds in you know the presenter is an expert in their craft. Thanks very much for this. I'm going to slap epoxy on a small extension we have built and was looking for some guidance - which your vid has given me in spades!

[@jenniferhermanson8969]

Well, I realized within the first 2 minutes that this would not be ideal for my project, but I just can not stop watching this guy.

[@gosolxsolar]

I can tell this guy is a singer but the way he talks. Built-in sense of pitch. Intelligent and careful with his craft.

[@shaboo2]

There is NO excuse for not having your part 2.

[@nateface]

You can get more videos at the link in the description.

[@AA-zq1sx]

@@nateface No, the link does NOT include Part 2 of this series. Does part 2 even exist?? Dozens of people are looking forward to the second part of this lesson in the comments, with a lot of disapointment, confusion and frustration. Please stop misrepresenting the "link in the description" as having the second part of this video.

[@hardystein114]

@@AA-zq1sx I agree with you. Bad practice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXm8an-kiK-rgqc

[@theofarmmanager267]

I can understand your anger. Absolutely NO excuse. I mean, after all the money you’ve paid to get these videos

[@AdventureBound88]

Best video by far that I have come across for epoxy and fibreglass walk through. You made it make sense. Thank you

[@thomasflynn6307]

Another great tip the foam roller and the better brush thanks very interesting I’m fascinated with epoxy so many uses

[@hullpros7380]

Very Nice Video. Worth watching, thank you!!

[@tunebj]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@ericolson8708]

Thanks for the walk through

[@gazsto6733]

Great informative video!

[@byAnArgentinian]

Eric you know a lot, and I want to say thank you for all the info. I know you put it on the video as text, and I understand it seems less important when you're doing it every day, but proper respirators are MANDATORY when using epoxy. It messes with your lugs really bad and really fast. You want to be doing what you like for a lot of time, so please take care. Thanks again!

[@gazsto6733]

Amazing how many actually do not wear masks or respirators to protect their lungs, I have seen so many workshops neglect the workers from toxic fumes. I wear a mask for almost everything, sanding, spraying, epoxy etc......Great advice!

[@MonsterGuitars]

I was looking forward to part 2!

[@nateface]

There's a link in the description where you can get more of the epoxy videos.

[@johnnyzen9991]

Great video. Thank you

[@shlegomio]

Hope everything's well? Love the content. Looking forward to see part 2 👍

[@nateface]

There's a link in the description where you can get more of the epoxy videos.

[@AA-zq1sx]

@@nateface The link does NOT include Part 2 of this series. Does part 2 even exist?? Dozens of people are looking forward to the second part of this lesson in the comments, with a lot of disapointment, confusion and frustration.

[@mikaelwester]

Thanks a lot. Especially for not speed talking. Helpful videos

[@patcadelina]

Great technique. Now waiting for part 2!

[@nateface]

There's a link in the description where you can get more of the epoxy videos.

[@AA-zq1sx]

​@@nateface No, the link does NOT include Part 2 of this series. Does part 2 even exist?? Dozens of people are looking forward to the second part of this lesson in the comments, with a lot of disapointment, confusion and frustration.

[@MilesCobbett]

30 inch roller handle like those used to paint doors works AWESOME

[@ehRalph]

I learned the hard way using a cheap chip brush for epoxy swimming pool paint. I had to scrape half of a brush off the wall before it setup. I still use chip brushes for lots of finishes, but I wire-brush them when new and also when cleaning the brush for reuse. Epoxy is a once and done. Any wire brush will work, but a fine stainless steel grill brush is a good choice for first use and pulling majority of loose hairs.

[@KyokushinKichiKai]

Thank you Sir! Excellent presentation and information!

[@FatDaddyG]

Awesome video... new subscriber!

[@HoldFast-un2fc]

Righteous skill

[@dpmtv4159]

The link to part 2 sends me down a rabbit hole with same dead-end page of your home page. Great video in part 1 but seems like alot of work to get your videos. I’m sure your sponsors would love to see an easier “viewer/user experience”.

[@philstat100]

Thank You.

[@Benniebassdrum]

Great video! I wonder how you keep your tools clean? Like your roller tray for example. Assuming you’re not using a new one for every layer?

[@traderryan713]

Awesome.

[@myoneblackfriend3151]

I am going to be putting epoxy on my truck bed. I was just going to stick it in a mold and dump it on there like in those river table videos. I will take your path. Thank you. I've have seen heat guns remove bubbles from newly applied epoxy.

[@adamconnolly4620]

Hey love your videos. I'm restoring a late 50s cedar strip white oak. I need to replace a couple ribs near the transom it has a 5200 hull. How do I remove the old nail heads to put the new ribs in? Pop the nails out then patch the hull holes?

[@pimpim68]

Great tutorial, thank's! Looking forward to the release of part 2 :)

[@nateface]

There's a link in the description where you can get more of the epoxy videos.

[@SaratYellasiri777]

It’s not out yet

[@AA-zq1sx]

@@nateface No, the link does NOT include Part 2 of this series. Does part 2 even exist?? Dozens of people are looking forward to the second part of this lesson in the comments, with a lot of disapointment, confusion and frustration. Two years later and still nothing.

[@thomasflynn6307]

Great tips like the overworking that is important

[@Farmer2492]

Hi fantastic video i have just brought a 15 foot timber top boat the boat top is ply top can i varnish it to keep the timber look what would you recommend

[@rickmiles9400]

I noticed you were stirring the epoxy with some rigor. How do you prevent bubbles forming in the epoxy?

[@BEAdventurePartners]

This was a great tutorial. I am about to epoxy our composting toilet for our school bus conversion. I don’t have a roller, and it’s just a toilet... lol so I am going to go with your foam brush tipping method for the whole thing. It also has corners that a roller can maneuver... so I think it will be the best in this case. Epoxy seems like the best solution. Ain’t nobody want to clean 💩 off of a pour us surface. 😆 Thanks for the tips! - Erin + Brian too

[@garywilliams7484]

Funny. I am working on a cargo trailer conversion and had the same thought process.

[@bradgoliphant]

Helo, question for you. If I have already stained wood with a penetrating stain, could I still add a top coat of lacquer or enamel or something to help give is further weatherproofing? Would it hold?

[@graemevetterlein]

Did part 2 ever happen ?

[@jeremymccallister8204]

I am replacing the plywood underlayment beneath the lonseal vinyl sole of my boat. I am using 1/4 marine plywood. The previous owner used regular 1/4 plywood, which became very soft after only a couple years. I plan to waterproof the plywood with epoxy. Is a single seal coat of epoxy adequate for the humidity?

[@marclafontaine5615]

cannot find part 2.. could you please send link? thank you, much appreciated the professionalism of your video.

[@offcenterharbor]

The link for more parts of this series is in the description

[@jennifervogt2932]

Can you epoxy over stain or paint on an exterior deck?

[@official_julianvandermade]

How many layers fiberglass do you put on a boat when using epoxy?

[@fougerariumpeterfougere2577]

thx

[@Subgunman]

Are there any colorants available for epoxy? I know from in the past I had to repair a fiberglass ray dome for an antenna that was crushed in shipping. I used two different colors of a dye, colorant for fiberglass resin to match the factory color of the antenna. Looking to make some dock boxes ( aka roadie cases for electronic stage equipment ) but I do not want the added expense of the ABS-plywood laminated panels more commonly used for their construction. I would like to coat with epoxy for surface durability as well as for moisture protection of the contents of the cases.

[@davidmanen5495]

Great instructional video, thank you! Would you recommend this process for waterproofing a DIY plywood teardrop trailer or some other method? Thanks again.

[@offcenterharbor]

Hi David - Thanks for watching and asking! Yes, this is the appropriate process for your trailer. We have lots of other videos to help with things like epoxy with fiberglass at the link in the description if you want to go more in depth.

[@davidmanen5495]

Thank you for the information! Cheers

[@arthurzengeler8296]

I have a lot of experience wthis 5ype of epoxy, tho I only use it outdoors with a mask. You could at least have a fan, indoors. And I've never tried multiple coats of it, I would just do one coat of liquid, then cloth, and then liquid top of that. West system has a booklet on how to use it, which is important to read.

[@LenapeSusqehannock]

SOLID PRAXIS FOR A CHANGE AND WORK CLOTHES NOT CLOWN COSTUMES REQUIRED.....THANK YOU

[@nialljoyce6011]

Hey, really excellent video & brilliant detail. I was making up a prototype for a Living Wall (plants) & was considering plywood - plastic (waterproof the plywood) - felt (holding plants). The felt would have to stappled into the plywood. In your experience, does the epoxy make the wood impenetrable (ie, staples/nails can't get a proper grip)? Would staples going into the coated plywood affect the waterproofing? Thanks in advance!

[@offcenterharbor]

Nails or staples would still be able to pierce the epoxy and go into the plywood, but you're right about the waterproofing - any hole is a chance for moisture intrusion.

[@vannasiozou6512]

Great video. I would like to ask if you use epoxy primer only if you want to paint the wood. Here, in Greece they told me if I want to see the wood’s natural grain I have to only use varnish. Is that the case?

[@offcenterharbor]

Well, epoxy primer, that might be right. But in this case, with good clear epoxy like West Systems 207 hardener, is a strong and protective baselayer below varnish that can look really beautiful.

[@adrianmaree8352]

Does the 205 turn red because it's older and being very hydroscopic it has absorbed moisture, or is it always like that, even when new?

[@JayBay813]

Doing this for a reptile enclosure

[@ryanwurm2674]

What are those pumps called? The variable ratio pumps you used to dispense the epoxy resins…we could use one of those pumps for our shop.

[@TPainWhatitDo]

I bet your shop could make one. Make a hand-cranked peristaltic pump where the same set of rollers compresses two polyethylene tubes of different diameters. Pick the correct diameters and you'll always get the right mix ratio.

[@plankedwoodworking1098]

Where is part 2? Clicked link and no part 2.

[@xenod1066]

Can you put epoxy over varnish?

[@avneeshkumar5149]

Part-2. ?

[@jerryowen5749]

Looking for part 2 ?

[@offcenterharbor]

You can get the rest of this series here: www.offcenterharbor.com/yt-epoxy-2205/

[@user-gf1jf4ii3i]

Will epoxy resin works on boats

[@donpetrey8007]

Ok here is a question what about using epoxy for my exterior woodwork. I have heard epoxy then ursthane or something but didn’t make sense. I want something that last years with little maintenance.

[@bipedalhominid6815]

Epoxy is not UV resistant. It will "yellow" over time when exposed to sunlight

[@matinbali]

Is the purpose of the rolled epoxy only to waterproof the wood? Does it make the wood stronger also? Or is the glass or carbon mat needed to add that strength 💪 thankyou

[@jimviau327]

Epoxy provides extra strength coating but barely reinforce the material. Fiberglass or carbon fiber will achieve much higher strength.

[@onelinesong4203]

If i would apply my garage door with epoxy ..Will it last forever then?

[@E-Kat]

Depends how long is your " forever"? But seriously, it will last many years, assuming the wooden door is totally dry, and that's not easy to achieve. Also, you'd have to paint the epoxy, then after it's cured, sand it a bit and apply another layer. It's an unpleasant job, requiring filtered mask( best you can afford!) as the dust and fumes are very toxic!

[@stinkintoad]

No mention of air bubbles.

[@JohnJohn-cu7nk]

👍

[@TPainWhatitDo]

Great tips for applying the epoxy clear coat. I don't understand why I would varnish on top of it. Epoxy is hard, varnish is very soft. Epoxy would be the more durable coating. I plan on just waxing it and being done.

[@georgewashington7444]

Epoxy will become severely compromised in presence of any UV. It must be varnished if kept bright or painted to protect it.

[@blackpig52]

Inside that's fine,it's not uv stable so outside it needs protecting

[@AA-zq1sx]

Because they are building BOATS not indoor furniture!

[@TPainWhatitDo]

@@AA-zq1sx I thought the other two commenters explained it well

[@theshoreys4741]

I assume since there is no part two available that you were wrong and just slapping it on their worked fine?

[@offcenterharbor]

You can get the rest of this series here: www.offcenterharbor.com/yt-epoxy-2205/

[@rjwintl]

why not just pour a glob of epoxy on an area , smooth it out with a squegee and fine tune it with a better bristle brush (the kind that doesn't shed bristle "needles" in the epoxy ) ???

[@casatv8916]

Great video, the best on the subject, but too expensive (for me) to watch part. 2.

[@TPainWhatitDo]

This stuff is like $120 a quart

[@markthomasson5077]

Should you thin the epoxy t get a better penetration in the first coat

[@offcenterharbor]

Check the instructions and recommendations of whatever brand epoxy you're using, but if it's WestSystem, there is no need to thin the epoxy. Just don't use a thickener. Mix it in the ratio called for.

[@vincentnelson2261]

can you clear coar epoxy over stained plywood

[@offcenterharbor]

As long as it's dry, should be fine.

[@Norbingel]

Where is part 2? I've searched the channel but cant seem to find it

[@offcenterharbor]

You can find part 2 plus more epoxy and boating videos at the link in the description of this video!

[@Norbingel]

@@offcenterharbor I see. I did visit that link but the videos in it has another Part 1, 3, and 6 (which I think is also available on your channel). Didn't see a part 2 to this. Am I an idiot and just missed it? :D

[@mikejustice1196]

Did you say you can’t varnish over epoxy?

[@clidelivingston]

can I just seal my boat with resin and not paint over it?

[@nateface]

Clyde - I built a Clint Chase plywood lapstrake rowboat and only used epoxy, no paint. If you're worried about UV protection, varnish over epoxy is great.

[@clidelivingston]

@@nateface okay, thanks!

[@danielsimpson8929]

What is the consumption of epoxy per square foot on each layer of coating?

[@riboid]

Read the tin and it will tell you the coverage rates.

[@danielsimpson8929]

@@riboid well yeah... but I was wondering what their consumption rate is in real life to then compare with the manufacturers info.

[@joe-hp4nk]

Can you use this on boats?

[@offcenterharbor]

Yes for sure! Eric is a lifelong boatbuilder and helps run Brooklin Boat Yard.

[@ADDvanced]

Where is part 2?

[@nateface]

You can get more videos at the link in the description.

[@ADDvanced]

@@nateface I don't wanna do that. :|

[@PierreSurmont]

no part 2 :( :(

[@offcenterharbor]

Check out the link in the description and you can get a lot more of our How To Use Epoxy videos.

[@Brettly01]

great vid but why would you epoxy before varnish when they both give the same effect.?

[@stevestone8004]

Hi Brett. Different chemicals with different properties. Epoxy does not have UV protection, so good to put paint or varnish over it. Epoxy can be an excellent sealant under varnish which can crack and let in water with age or dings.

[@johnryan2193]

I thought epoxy had to be painted over to stop uv damage ?

[@jec_ecart]

What is Tipping?

[@stevestone8004]

Using a brush to smooth out the paint or epoxy after rolling it. Rolling is best for getting the liquid evenly spread and then tipping is best for getting a smooth finish. Roll progressively across a surface and keep tipping back into the still wet surface (keeping a wet edge) then the paint or epoxy will settle out after tipping into a smooth surface rather than getting sticky and showing brush marks.

[@manmaas]

Dies waiting for Part 2.

[@hope4ourfallen]

Strange question.. Are you guys on Cape Cod?🙂

[@rski1036]

So where is Part 2 ???

[@offcenterharbor]

You can find the full series via the link in the description.

[@DavidSnowCounselSupport]

I love the content of this video and would really like to see part 2. I clicked on your link, signed up (so far for free) and received an email thanking me for signing up to get "some" of our favorite videos, with links to a handful of videos, none of which are part 2 to this. Instead, I get parts 1, 3, and 6 of a different series. What on earth is your point in doing this? Provide potentially useful and interesting content as a way to just aggravate people? Is there any way to actually get parts 2 through 6 of this series? If you want me to pay for the rest of the series, you could at least offer me a link to do so, but there isn't even that.

[@offcenterharbor]

Hi David - Sorry for the frustration - we try to share the breadth of our epoxy lessons, but understand that not getting Part 2 of this series is annoying. It'll take us a little bit to get that sorted, but for now and to your last point, here's a link to join and get full access to ALL of our series: www.offcenterharbor.com/join-now-2001-em01/

[@DavidSnowCounselSupport]

@@offcenterharbor Cool. Thanks. The deal in the link is fantastic, based on what I've seen so far. The information on this video is exceptional and very helpful, and my response was bit out of line. Thank you for your kind response and for posting anything at all.

[@jmack619]

@@DavidSnowCounselSupport no apology necessary ?

[@AA-zq1sx]

@@offcenterharbor That link /webpage after signup does NOT include Part 2 of the series or "full access to all of our series". Does part 2 even exist?? Dozens of people are looking forward to the second part of this lesson in the comments, after several years it's still not sorted?

[@pimpsk8er3702]

...typically...

[@manjeetswt]

wheres the part 2 and 3 and 4 ?

[@nateface]

You can get more videos at the link in the description.

[@carbarrer6]

I won't pay for part 2. Sorry

[@jrob8931]

Not sure I understand why someone would need to “varnish” over epoxy. Can’t clear epoxy be a stand-alone top coat that’s already superior to any varnish?

[@stevenmstone2223]

Epoxy has no UV protection. The varnish provides protection from the sun.

[@offcenterharbor]

Epoxy needs the UV protection of varnish. Left alone, the UV will make it weaken and crack over time.

[@SailingSarah]

Video shot before wood became more expensive than epoxy. 🤷

[@Bakanelli]

What kind of varnish are u guys talking about? Polyurethane or some classic 100 layer type of joke? As far as I know polyurethane clear coat lasts a number of years and when it finally “oxidizes” you just quickly sand it with 320 grid and apply a fresh layer of polyurethane and Bob’s your uncle

[@E-Kat]

No mask with filter? That stuff is so toxic!!

[@offcenterharbor]

Good call! Russell didn't use a mask for some of this while we filmed so that we could understand what he was saying. We did have an exhaust fan running in the shop, but you're right - in normal circumstances we wear respirators with appropriate filters.

[@E-Kat]

@@offcenterharbor please don't do it even for a few minutes without a respirator! Once this stuff gets deep into your lungs, it might be many months before you will be better! Some people are ill two years later, unable to go outside unaided. This is a silent killer as many people don't even know that the cause of it was that epoxy resin broach they made the day before; they don't tell the doctor about it either and their poor doctor has no idea how on earth have they sustained such huge damage to their lungs. Please,please, be so careful!❤️

[@thelogician1934]

epoxy has no flexibility. Not exactly suitable to paint wood.

[@starrstewart7083]

WoodPrix plans are amazing!