[mgk65]

I am finalizing my plans for a new hood and have been researching paints and varnishes for the inside and outside.

My question: Is it necessary to use marine grade epoxy and then a top coat for the inside of the hood?

My initial plans are to use sanding sealer on all boards (either oak or pine) on both sides. Then seal the inside with a paint or epoxy and then a top coat with a polyurethane.

I've looked at :
- PoxyCoat from http://www.doubleecoatings.com
- Water based epoxy and urethane from www.systemthree.com

I would prefer the water-based products from systemthree.com, as they are less likely to be toxic than some exotic solvents.

However, if I don't have to do this, all the better! It seems as though the marine products are mostly for submersed boats.

Could I get away with using a sanding sealer, white acrylic latex and then a polyurethane for the inside?

If I go with oak, I would like to put a clear coat of polyurethane on the outside. If I use pine, I would stain it, then clear coat.

thanks,
mgk

[icemark]

My personal experiance says: Yes you must go with an epoxy paint.

I found on the hoods I have built, that the regular grades of white paints (such as spray on Epoxys or Kilz sealer paints) with coats of polyurathane sealers over them; only hold up about a year or two at the most. The heat, light and water from evaporation that the insides are subject too radically shorten the life of most paints and sealers.

Three coats minimum. Good epoxy outdoor or marine grade paint, and I still might add a varathane or other outdoor high sunlight (UVA and UVB) protected sealer on top of the paint. Well, unless you want to re-do your hood again in three years.

Also from experiance: use a good reflector/shroud and silicon glue all the screws and holes that you mount things to your hood with.