I plan to build new pin boards for my companion way using ipe lumber. Does anyone have experience with ipe lumber on the exterior of their boat? Does Cetol work well on ipe?
Ipe Lumber
- Thread starter Bud22569
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Seal the end grain
I have my deck on my house built out of IPE (brand name Pau Lope`). A couple of things to keep in mind. You must *seal* the end grain well or it will wick water. Also you need to use carbide tipped blades on all tools and finally you must pre-drill all holes to prevent splitting. Good luck Andy
I have my deck on my house built out of IPE (brand name Pau Lope`). A couple of things to keep in mind. You must *seal* the end grain well or it will wick water. Also you need to use carbide tipped blades on all tools and finally you must pre-drill all holes to prevent splitting. Good luck Andy
A couple more things...
Like Andy mentioned, you have to use carbide tipped blades when working ipe, it's an extremely dense wood and regular blades won't hack it. Also, go slowly as you don't want the wood to start smoking. The smoke given off by ipe is really nasty and can make you quite sick. Other than those small items, ipe is an awesome wood. I used it to build a 1200 square foot deck at my moms house last summer and it looks great!
Like Andy mentioned, you have to use carbide tipped blades when working ipe, it's an extremely dense wood and regular blades won't hack it. Also, go slowly as you don't want the wood to start smoking. The smoke given off by ipe is really nasty and can make you quite sick. Other than those small items, ipe is an awesome wood. I used it to build a 1200 square foot deck at my moms house last summer and it looks great!
Ipe not cheapie
Ipe wood isn't cheap but it's a lot cheaper than teak. $5 vs $16 per foot. I'm making my cockpit grates out of it, and i believe like teak for any gluing you should clean the ends to be glued with acetone. I've seen deck done in this and it's beautiful. Good luck and have fun!
Ipe wood isn't cheap but it's a lot cheaper than teak. $5 vs $16 per foot. I'm making my cockpit grates out of it, and i believe like teak for any gluing you should clean the ends to be glued with acetone. I've seen deck done in this and it's beautiful. Good luck and have fun!
Ipe
Bud, Ipe is a brazilian hardwood that is extremely hard and dense. Tools need to be sharp and like Andy said, predrill all holes and seal end grain. The end grain will dry out and crack if you don't keep up with it. I am a contractor and have used this stuff alot. It is about two to three times heavyier than mohogany and 10 times harder. I counter sink holes and use teak plug to cover screws. ( my tapered plug cutter won't cut ipe plugs, the ipe is too hard.) I used ipe when I replaced my handrail on my cabin top. They are working out so far. The big problem is finding a sealer that stays on, which is no different than trying to seal teak.( ipe will naturally go grey like teak if left to weather.) I used to varnish or Cetol but sanding and sanding is not my bag. Last year I tried three different sealer products on three different decks and was not happy with any of the results. UV just killed the finish in 8 month. Cetol will last about a year but the sanding is difficult to reapply the cetol. So, I am looking for a good sealer if anyone knows of one. r.w.landau
Bud, Ipe is a brazilian hardwood that is extremely hard and dense. Tools need to be sharp and like Andy said, predrill all holes and seal end grain. The end grain will dry out and crack if you don't keep up with it. I am a contractor and have used this stuff alot. It is about two to three times heavyier than mohogany and 10 times harder. I counter sink holes and use teak plug to cover screws. ( my tapered plug cutter won't cut ipe plugs, the ipe is too hard.) I used ipe when I replaced my handrail on my cabin top. They are working out so far. The big problem is finding a sealer that stays on, which is no different than trying to seal teak.( ipe will naturally go grey like teak if left to weather.) I used to varnish or Cetol but sanding and sanding is not my bag. Last year I tried three different sealer products on three different decks and was not happy with any of the results. UV just killed the finish in 8 month. Cetol will last about a year but the sanding is difficult to reapply the cetol. So, I am looking for a good sealer if anyone knows of one. r.w.landau
Penofin
We used a stain/sealer called Penofin on our deck. It took about five coats over four years but it no longer fades after one season. I applied my coating after the deck was built but I read an article about one deck that pre-sealed all of the lumber on both sides multiple times before assembling the deck. I wish I had done that. Wood New England offers a marine version here - http://www.woodnewengland.com/penofin/penomarin.htm I'd be interested to hear results. Andy
We used a stain/sealer called Penofin on our deck. It took about five coats over four years but it no longer fades after one season. I applied my coating after the deck was built but I read an article about one deck that pre-sealed all of the lumber on both sides multiple times before assembling the deck. I wish I had done that. Wood New England offers a marine version here - http://www.woodnewengland.com/penofin/penomarin.htm I'd be interested to hear results. Andy
Phil... I am sorry,
of sailboatowners.com. Phil, if you can get this Penofin stuff in, I would buy it. see Andy's link r.w.landau
of sailboatowners.com. Phil, if you can get this Penofin stuff in, I would buy it. see Andy's link r.w.landau
IPE
I made a bunch of stuff on my boat with IPEand used cetol and its held up great Iused acetone to wipe it down three times to remove the oil and I finish all sides of the part then put it on the boat.Its going on 4 years and looks good
I made a bunch of stuff on my boat with IPEand used cetol and its held up great Iused acetone to wipe it down three times to remove the oil and I finish all sides of the part then put it on the boat.Its going on 4 years and looks good
Chris, sailboatowners.com
has a store. I would, without question, perfer to deal with this web site. Yes I might be able to buy better at Home Depot, but this site, I would not want to loose. Chris thanks for the direction, I will wait to see if Phil brings it on as a new product. Thanks r.w.landau
has a store. I would, without question, perfer to deal with this web site. Yes I might be able to buy better at Home Depot, but this site, I would not want to loose. Chris thanks for the direction, I will wait to see if Phil brings it on as a new product. Thanks r.w.landau
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