Sealing Wood

[GI Joe]

I'm getting ready to build an enclosure. I'll be using Oak for the wood. I want it to be furniture quality as it will be in my office. I want to know how to seal the inside wood against moisture.

Over the wood I will be building fake rock walls out of bondo coated foam which has been carved. I just want to ensure that humidity that gets behind the rock (or the possible spill ect.) won't damage the wood.

Any other hints to build a dream enclosure will be welcomed. Dimensions will be 4' long by 2' deep by 2' high. It will have locking, sliding glass doors in the front.

Thanks
jeff.

[Piers]

I use extior gloss or high gloss urothane. I use the oil base as apposed to the latex because the latex will start to reliquidfy if it gets too wet. some use two part appoxi or you can use mariane enamil.
excuse the spelling mistakes
Piers

[Invictus]

Any enamel-based paint will work, but you may have to put another coat on every year or so, depending on how much moisture you really have in the enclosure. If you're housing a humidity lover, get it epoxied. It's worth it. Another option is any outdoor deck/patio stain. (If it can stand up to rain and standing water, it can stand up to wet sphagnum.)

[Linds]

Urethanes and other similar sealants will provide a resistance to humidity, but not waterproof it. If you are looking for a waterproof seal, your best bet IMHO is to go with an epoxy. Some say its messy to work with, but I find it very easy to work with. The stuff I use is touch dry in a few hours, and takes 5 days to fully cure, and is able to hold water after only 72 hours. The smell seems to dissapate once it is touch dry, unlike many other sealants which seem to carry a strong odour for quite some time. Especially anything oil-based. If you do choose to go with a urethane, exterior oil-based will provide the best protection.

[GI Joe]

Thanks for all the advice so far. Keep em coming.

Has anyone else worked with fake rock? How did it work out?

[sapphire_moon]

Linds: What kind of an epoxy? Do you have a brand? And GI, I can't wait to see that enclosure!

[Linds]

<a href="http://www.niacoat.com/Specifications/epoxal3-1.htm">This</a> is what I have been using. The stuff is awesome! :D

[MistyDaze]

Are you using timber veneer with solid trim or solid wood all the way? You could use a plastic of some kind (HIPS, ABS, PVC etc). Just glue or screw it to the inside and seal joints holes with silicone. An 8 x 4 sheet of 3mm HIPS (high impact polystyrene) costs about $70AUS (cheaper for US) and will give you a water-tite seal. Formica or something similar will give you a very good seal but not totally water-tite. For a "dream enclosure" whats a few extra bucks.

Anyways, done right water will not get behind your rockwall and the rockwall itself can be sealed to the point of being constantly emerged in water (this will go some way in protecting your wood). If guess you already know the basics but if there is anything specific you would like to know about the rockwall (sealing, coloring etc) let me know.

Good luck, Al