Woodworking

566 readers

1 users here now

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

pepsi@lemmy.world

Looking for advice: how do I waterproof wood (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by Jhex@lemmy.world to c/woodworking@lemmy.world

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

So I park my snow blower in the garage and would like the snow residue to melt in place and not go all over.

I built this giant tray with a ramp so I can push the blower on it, that way the snow will stay on the tray.

I will caulk the seams and paint it with some resistant paint but I'll like to either glue a tarp on it, or some other plastic material or perhaps use some special coating so it lasts a few years.

The "floor" of the tray is OSB (aspenite?). Not the best for this is what I had and this project is more of an experiment for me.

Any recommendations?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Definitely paint it. Purists will hate paint. But there's a reason we cover our houses in paint and not stain or varnish. Your tray has a base made of OSB; this isn't a project where showing off the grain matters. I would put a coat of oil based primer and two or three coats of oil based enamel paint.

I do like the idea of it draining into a plastic container. But ultimately, if you put thick paint on it, you are essentially creating a plastic container.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Your try has a base made of OSB; this isn’t a project where showing off the grain matters

110% correct... It's in the garage where nobody goes to boot so even if I wanted pretty, nobody would see it... I swear if I fall and get hurt there I would die of starvation before anyone in my fam discovers we have a garage hahaha

Thanks for your feedback

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, the woodworking community tends to loathe paint, for obvious reasons. There's no point in working hard and making something nice out of high quality hardwood if you're just going to paint over it. Which is where the opposition to paint comes from. I share that sentiment for projects where it matters. I wouldn't make a desk out of black walnut and then paint it. But anything made of OSB? That's a material you choose when you just want strength and function and aesthetics are irrelevant. And if looks don't matter, and it needs to be waterproof, paint is the way to go.

[–] Jhex@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

110% agree!