Protecting exposed plywood edges

[jbo_c]

Working on the roof of my boat and wondering how to best protect the plywood edges of the roofline. Just a few coats of epoxy, then paint? Or should I wrap with a light layer of glass too. It’s only 3/4”, so that’s a little tight for wrapping, but 4oz cloth should do it. Maybe I’m over-obsessing.

Opinions? Best practices?

Thanks.

Jbo

[Jaysen]

If you didn’t glass the top, it will be had to glass just the edge and make it smooth without a tone of fairing… which is my go to.

Run some cello/tape on the bottom to make a dam. Brush some neat epoxy, pack a pile of fairing compound on the edge. Pull the tape and sand.

It’s a bit of work but if you mix your own you can tweak the compound to be hard or soft depending on the edge. Also allows you to cover a lot of defects in the edge. Just be careful not to over sand and expose wood.

[jbo_c]

The top does have a layer of 4oz fabric(to, hopefully, prevent checking). My hesitation on wrapping with glass is just what you mention - I can see myself glassing only to then sand through while filling/fairing. So easy to do on a thin edge . . .

Jbo

[jbo_c]

Oh, and this is actual marine ply, meranti and okume if that matters.

Jbo

[Jaysen]

This won’t help you but…

I have discovered that it is easier to start with the edges. Put a good round over on the edge, strip of tape/fabric, then the flat. Lets you sand the edge tape but then cover the sanded section again. If you think about it, it makes sense.

Good luck.

[jbo_c]

Makes sense. I’ll do that on the other section of roof I have to do.

Thanks.

Jbo