Question for woodworkers/carpenters

January 21, 2022, 11:35 AM

We have some Christmas decoration that are silhouettes that were cut out of a plywood sheet. I assume exterior plywood. They are about 5 years old and starting to show typical aging on plywood. Specifically, near the edges there is some minor separation between the layers.

I’ve glued down those areas but was thinking about sealing the edge of each silhouette What would work best? Should I use caulk, spray with clear FlexSeal (or similar) rubber sealant, use a different product? The silhouettes are painted and the paint has held up pretty well.

I don’t want to overplay this – currently there are only a hand full of spots that needed to be glued. I’m pretty much looking for ideas that will extend the life of the decorations.

January 21, 2022, 11:50 AM

mark60

You could try painting the plywood edges with Titebond 2 wood glue. Titebond 2 (blue label) is outdoor rated and should seal the edges.

January 26, 2022, 04:19 PM

Anyone have thoughts about caulk or the rubber spray stuff? Hadn't thought about the glue but wonder if the other options would last longer.

January 26, 2022, 04:22 PM

dedguy

You might look into West Epoxy. It's used in boat building, and will seal in up.

January 26, 2022, 04:23 PM

smschulz

quote:
Originally posted by mark60:
You could try painting the plywood edges with Titebond 2 wood glue. Titebond 2 (blue label) is outdoor rated and should seal the edges.

^^^^ I agree with this and also use some other boards and a clamp until the glue dries.

quote:
Anyone have thoughts about caulk or the rubber spray stuff?

Bad idea.

Use glue if you want it to stay together.

January 26, 2022, 04:25 PM

Perception

If you're talking about flex seal, I've found it to be fairly useless in general but I doubt it would stand up to continued delamination even if it did seal it originally.

"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."

January 26, 2022, 05:44 PM

Sailor1911

quote:
Originally posted by dedguy:
You might look into West Epoxy. It's used in boat building, and will seal in up.

That is what I would use. You can probably get it at a West Marine Store if you have one close by. Or, online at westmarine.com. Or, google "West systems epoxy"

You might look at their "G/Flex 650" epoxy. Comes in smaller sizes and may be better for your needs.

West Systems G/Flex

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January 26, 2022, 08:41 PM

bigdeal

If the wood is already separating, anything you do at this point is likely to fail. If you opt to remake these decorations, do them with MDO plywood the next time. I got ten years out of my lawn decorations made with MDO here in rainy Florida.

-----------------------------
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January 27, 2022, 11:27 AM

Leemur

quote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
If the wood is already separating, anything you do at this point is likely to fail. If you opt to remake these decorations, do them with MDO plywood the next time. I got ten years out of my lawn decorations made with MDO here in rainy Florida.

This. Once moisture starts getting between the layers you’re not going to stop the separating. You could run some screws through it but I don’t know how much longer they’ll last regardless.

January 27, 2022, 12:26 PM

OKCGene

This would be a good time to get some more fresh new wood and trace the old pattern onto the new. Cut out, sand and seal and then seal that up right away.

I’m assuming you like the current patterns.
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