Thread: Decking oil on marine ply ?

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Thanks for the reply Mobyturns - I understand the traditional use of oils for marine applications (eg teak decking) but my concern was more the suitability for use of oil (any oil) on marine ply.
Bagman

Oils (most any kind) will offer some check resistance and keep the wood relatively healthy. It's just slightly better than leaving it raw in terms of protection, compaired to other coatings. Even with a liberal soaking, it'll still absorb moisture and the worst part is, it wears out pretty quickly. I'm subtropical where I am and traditional oiled surfaces, need treatment at least twice a year, usually three if your boat see lots of sun.

The only things I now oil are teak decks and some spars on traditional craft. Everything else gets varnish or polyurethane, because of the superior protection these offer. On traditional craft, sometimes you just don't have a choice, but given one, I'll use varnish and knock it dull with a scouring pad or by mixing in a dulling agent.

Originally Posted by bagman

Thanks for the reply Mobyturns - I understand the traditional use of oils for marine applications (eg teak decking) but my concern was more the suitability for use of oil (any oil) on marine ply.
Bagman

The Deks Olje system leaves a hard finish similar in appearance to a clear marine spar varnish but is intended as a surface prep system. I have used it on top and undersides of the marine ply floors in a couple of vessels now including our 6m Cairns Custom Craft plate aluminium "mini game boat" then used International marine deck paint over it. The results have lasted well over 15 years so far on the 6m MGB, but then the boat is always garaged when not on the water.

I decided to have an "each way" bet after considering the replies from Par and Mobyturns. As my boat will inevitably spend most it's life in the garage even when completed, I reasoned an oil finish on the flooring would probably last a reasonable time. So I purchased some Deks Olje No 1 and applied 8 coats (the first coat took a little while but subsequent coats fly on wet on wet) to the first section of flooring and I love the finish and the application process.
If after I put the boat in service I find the durability is indeed lacking I can apply always any single pack finish (that requires mineral turpentine clean up) because the Deks Olje is apparently also a good primer.