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Results 1 to 7 of 7
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14th February 2012, 06:42 PM #1
New Member
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- Feb 2012
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- New Zealand
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- 7
Flexible, durable finish for a wooden vehicle
Hi all,
I am on the home stretch of building an electric scooter. The fairing/body is constructed of laminated ply bent around a former.
The fairing is laminated in 4 layers - the middle two are a very open grain 4mm 4-ply called 'bendy ply', and the two outer layers are a very thin 2mm thin birch 4-ply (also called aircraft ply).
You can see the project on my blog: projectitis — Electric Scooter
I want to keep the timber look, so I am hoping to finish it in a clear/transparent finish rather than painting it. However, as you can image it has special characteristics:
- Flexible. The scooter will vibrate and flex slightly as it is used.
- Durable. The scooter will be out in the weather, and especially needs to be rain proof
- UV resistant. Once again, in the weather means exposure to sun.
I have asked at the local Bunnings, but they don't know of anything suitable.
Although they didn't have any product suggestions, they said to look for a product also suitable for cane furniture, which also flexes and has similar finish requirements.
At the local fibreglass supply place they told my a clear gelcoat was not suitable as it has no strength and would crack with use and the weather. They suggested perhaps using surface tissue, which is a very thing fibreglass matt.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks very much!
Peter
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14th February 2012, 11:07 PM #2
GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Jan 2010
- Location
- Melbourne
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- 0
Looks great. Just to let you know, your website isn't working from this end. Must be something to do with your DNS servers.
-Scott
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15th February 2012, 12:12 AM #3
It was working earlier tonight. I went there maybe all the people looking has used up his allowance of MB.
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15th February 2012, 02:45 PM #4
New Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2012
- Location
- New Zealand
- Posts
- 7
I rang a local classic car restorer. He said he finishes wooden cars with 4 spray coats of Epiglass Everdure that penetrates the wood and toughens the fibers, and finishes with a PPG clear coat as used on cars. Apparently the Everdure is a marine product.
I rang a local car painter friend, and he recommended 3 coats of something called clear board sealer, followed by 2 coats of full gloss 2k urethane clear coat.
My only concern (with either of these) is that my scooter fairing will vibrate and flex more than a wooden car would, and the finish would crack.
Any thoughts?
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16th February 2012, 01:07 PM #5
SENIOR MEMBER
- Join Date
- Mar 2009
- Location
- Sydney
- Posts
- 39
Whenever I have to finish anything that I think is going to cop a lot of abuse, I head to a marine supply shop. I've had timber boats and the paints etc around these days for boats are great.
Of course, it is impossible to walk into a boat shop without spending at least $100.
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17th February 2012, 12:42 PM #6
GOLD MEMBER
- Join Date
- Aug 2011
- Location
- bilpin
- Posts
- 510
A good quality marine varnish would stand up to the strain.
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17th February 2012, 08:15 PM #7
New Member
- Join Date
- Feb 2012
- Location
- New Zealand
- Posts
- 7
Good tips. I'll visit some marine supply places for product advice
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