Protecting Plywood on the underside of a vehicle

Bowrunner

Bowrunner

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Hi,

I'm converting a caravan in to a ship (not sea worthy) and we've rebuild the floor with ply facing the road. I've already woodstained all the wood we're using, but I'm not sure what to coat it with to protect it from whatever the road throws at it? I've thought about using bitumen and yacht varnish, but stones from the road will chip away at it wouldn't it?...any help would be appreciated thanks :)
 
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What sort of ply did you use ?
For that sort of application, you need either marine or WPB (I believe it stands for water and boil proof) ply. Ordinary ply will delaminate when it gets wet - which it will.
 
I've used 6mm normal ply facing the road with a PVC cover around the edge all screwed to a frame. The original caravan had a thinner ply and didn't look to be treated with anything, but it was 20 year old!
 
Here's a couple of pics if that helps? :)

11866314_756903334420944_4055229222600222705_n.jpg
11898566_756903217754289_3269189882790128047_n.jpg
 
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my car has PVC shields under the engine and other parts. They are spaced off so there is room for air circulation, and have drainage holes. The underside is well protected against watersplash, salt and grit blast. It is quite flexible so does not crack if stones or debris hit it. I changed all the fixing screws to stainless, with washers.

Perhaps you could use some kind of semi-rigid plastic sheeting.
 
Yes, but look underneath any vehicle on the motorway when it's raining - it's a veritable maelstrom underneath with water spray everywhere. Seriously, nothing escapes the water spray when it's churned by the turbulent airflow underneath - and in the case of a trailer, by the vehicle in front pulling it.

IMO the best advice is that anything exposed will get wet - so use materials that can cope.
 
it will protect from the stonechips though.

My previous car had a left and a righthand shield. A garage lost or stole one side, and the suspension, sump, bolts and underbody on that side was chipped and rusty, when the other side was clean and painted.
 
Stonechip the trade call it I believe so I would imagine it'll protect against stonechip, or underbody sealer/underseal, oil based as well so will protect your wood no end
 
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