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Expert: - 8/13/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a wood buffet that I am converting into a guinea pig hutch, and I am wondering if there is a product that I can create/paint a plastic shell over the wood on the inside. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated,

ANSWER: Hi Adrian, you might be able to roll on an epoxy like West System, or you could Formica the inside, but there isn't any easy solution...what kind of wood is it, and will you be putting it out into the weather?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, to answer your questions the wood is oak...I think and I do not plan on leaving it outside so weather  will not be much of a factor. I do not actually have the guinea pigs yet and don't plan on their purchase until the hutch is ready so there is no rushed time frame this project must be done by. I am willing to let it sit for several weeks/months while a product cures and/or fumes dissipate.

Answer
I'm assuming you're really looking to totally waterproof the area, but it's almost impossible to totally waterproof porous wood like Oak. You would have to create a pretty thick skin, like a poured on Epoxy finish. Several coats of rolled on West System might do it,or fiberglass resin, too....but there's no guarantee that it will stay intact, because wood will swell and shrink with it's environment no matter what.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/barrier-coating/

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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