carpeting a bassboat

Bill Vincent · July 11, 2006, 09:30 AM

Okay-- now it's time for me to ask the questions!! I'm about to replace the fishing decks on my bassboat, and of course, that also means new carpeting. My biggest question (for now!) is concerning the adhesive used for glue down carpet-- will this stuff work over marine grade plywood?

Daris Mulkin · July 11, 2006, 10:46 AM

You will definitely want an outdoor adhesive designed to take the water and weather.

Daris

Bill Vincent · July 11, 2006, 11:50 AM

Thanks, Daris. Any suggestions?

Danny Ferguson · July 11, 2006, 12:46 PM

Hey Bill, Mapei makes a good one called Ultra Bond 4000. Should be good to go over marine plywood.

Chuck · July 11, 2006, 04:26 PM

All outdoor carpet adhesives are about the same.

Dan Schultz · July 11, 2006, 06:16 PM

Bill you will want to coat the marine plywood with fiberglass resin or gel coat or you will be relpacing the plywood again sooner than necessary. Both should be available at your local hardware store.

Bill Vincent · July 11, 2006, 07:07 PM

Mapei makes carpet adhesives??? I'll be damned!! LOL I use their tile products every day!!

Dan-- I was thinking about that. I had originally intended to use marine grade epoxy to coat it ( a boat yard I worked for years ago for a couple of dead months used that on all plywood decking, and I figured who was I to argue?), but I'd talked to someone local that does boat repair who said that it wasn't necessary, which is why I decided to go to marine grade ply instead of egp.

I can assume these exterior carpet glues will stick to the epoxy?

rusty baker · July 12, 2006, 08:01 AM

Outdoor adhesive is expensive and flammable.

Bill Vincent · July 12, 2006, 06:41 PM

Well, one way or the other, I'm going to have to use something that'll stand up to the elements. Doesn't make much sense to use something that's going to let go before the beginning of next season does it? That's like building a custom home, and then using Edge Precision Tile because I don't want the latex from thinset offgassing in my house.

Randy · July 12, 2006, 07:33 PM

Bill,
I have used a lot of glue over the years and lately I have used enough glue I should buy stock in the company. I swear by Roberts outdoor glue for outdoor elements.

Danny Ferguson · July 12, 2006, 08:34 PM

I'm thinking the Mapei 4000 would seal the plywood deck, without having to use resin or gelcoat Bill. I'll check with my rep tomorrow on it.

Chuck · July 12, 2006, 10:00 PM

The plywood on your boat is alredy pressure treated. Waterproofing it would be a waste of time and money.(not to mention it is a potential bond breaker) Outdoor carpet adhesive will stick to it just fine. Just about every ahesive manufactuer makes one. I have used them all and could not tell you what distiguishes one from the other. The only reason they are allowed to still make the stuff is cuz it it "outdoor". It is imperative that you use an outdoor adhesive. Outdoor means solvent based. Nothing else will work. Hell, the other stuff won't even work on screened porches for very long. Dewpoint alone will destroy anything other than solvent based adhesives.

floorman67 · July 13, 2006, 05:36 PM

While Chuck is correct that in SOME cases SOME waterproofing products may be a bond breaker with SOME outdoor carpet adhesives, others may work together and bond appropriately.

You just need to research and find the right products (outdoor wood treatment and outdoor carpet adhesives) that will work together and form an acceptable bond.

Extra treatments added to pressure treated wood products will extend their life, and certainly aren't a waste of time ... ask any homeonwer with a deck

I would recommend finding products (oil based) that will accept and bond with the additional treatments and solvent based outdoor carpet adhesive.

Talk to the manufacturer reps and their technical services deparments for more information on what type of products and their markeup that will work together and bond together.

Products of similar ingredients will almsot always bond together even if mild scarification is required.

Bill Vincent · July 13, 2006, 06:02 PM

Keep in mind, folks-- I'm talking MARINE GRADE-- not pressure treated. There's a HUGE difference, starting with the fact that pressure treated plywood is full of voids, while marine grade is the most solid plywood you can find. I don't know for sure, but I also believe that pressure treated plywood gets treated with different chemicals, as well.

Chuck · July 13, 2006, 07:20 PM

Touche. Marine grade is indeed different than pressure treated. Pressure treated is loaded with waterborne preservatives. That adds a ton of weight to the product. Not a good thing for a watercraft.

carpeting a bassboat

This discussion, "carpeting a bassboat", in Carpet Q&A (part of the category Public Forums for the Pro, DIYer & Consumer), begins, "Okay-- now it's time for me to ask the questions!! I'm about to replace the fishing decks on my bassboat, ..."