Thread: Outdoor wood slab shower project

Sorry, but I wouldn't even consider using a slab with that many, and those size cracks in it for the purposes you describe.

I made some park benches out of something similar and filled the holes with ~$40 worth of epoxy and they lasted about 2 years before the slab split down the middle.

Maybe an indoor coffee table ?

hmmm, don't like the sound of that, this is the backside which is a lot worse than the front side, most of the cracks don't go all the way through. It is also going in a semi-sheltered area so won't be in full sun.

I'm filling the holes with car body filler which my understanding is very strong and withstands the elements.

I'm going to go for it, I might kick myself in a few years, time will tell.

What I want to know is if I'm filling the holes/cracks with filler then 2 pack poly do I still need to completely scrap back to hard wood or is a little bit soft wood here and there going to be fine.

Originally Posted by Twist

hmmm, don't like the sound of that, this is the backside which is a lot worse than the front side, most of the cracks don't go all the way through. It is also going in a semi-sheltered area so won't be in full sun..

Reflected UV is sufficient to affect the finish and the external air temperature range won't be that different even if it is sheltered.

I'm filling the holes with car body filler which my understanding is very strong and withstands the elements.

The filler won't be a problem but it will be the junction between the filler the the hard wood. Even if its sealed hard wood, moisture will get into wood it will move and the differential movement between the wood and the filler will eventually pop the

]What I want to know is if I'm filling the holes/cracks with filler then 2 pack poly do I still need to completely scrap back to hard wood or is a little bit soft wood here and there going to be fine.

Any remaining softwood will increase moisture absorption and decrease the amount of time it takes to crack the junction between the filler and wood..

You wont have to wait a couple of years to start kicking yourself. That slab will continue on is merry way and be in multiple pieces in no time.
But to answer your question; Best to remove all rot prior to filling. In fact, best to go a little further into the solid wood, as rot spores will have progressed.
The cracks will require butterflying to prevent them opening further, or at least slow them down, and there are a lot of cracks to deal with.
Even a solid slab is going to deteriorate to some extent under these conditions. An inferior one is going to be in real trouble.

Haven't tried this myself but there are some similar products in the USA that people rave about

https://www.bunnings.com.au/earls-25...dener_p1585306

hmmmm, by all indications an indoor coffee table is sounding like a better option. Back to the drawing board on the outdoor shower I think.

Finished my out shower, ended up using using a Stringy Bark reclaimed bridge post. Thanks for steering me clear of using a redgum slab not sure who's crazy idea that was. I'm going to use the redgum for a lego table for the kids.

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Thats great! I would say you ended up with a much better looking result anyway - now and into the future.

Has given me some ideas for my own