Shower trim waterproofing

2/16/21, 3:55 PM #1

Jack Guzman from Maine
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Shower trim waterproofing

Jack Guzman from Maine

I am using red oak as edging on tile in a shower stall. I am leaving the wood unstained,unpainted and want to make it water resistant. I had a can of water based urethane but when I spread it on a piece it stayed tacky so I assume the stuff is no good.

So,I need to find a new coating material. Either I buy a new can of water based urethane or use shellac or I don't know what else. What product is best for this application?

Also, how do I remove the tacky urethane? Or can I go right over it?

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I am a carpenter by trade.Also a handyman/Jack -of-all-trades.I work around my neighborhood mostly helping people keep up their old houses.I have a fairly large woodworking shop in my house where I work with both hand and power tools. At the moment I'm focusing on Windsor chairs building.I will build most anything if needed. I'm always learning,adapting,changing trying to broaden my woodworking skills.I work mostly with hand tools in my shop but will use power if it is a better way to get the desired result. My wife,Donna,and I live in the woods of Maine with our dogs,cats,and birds. We have 5 grown kids and six grandchildren. Woodcentral has been central to my growth as a woodworker. I pass through this place every day.

Re: Shower trim waterproofing

2/16/21, 10:01 PM #2

William Duffield
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Re: Shower trim waterproofing

William Duffield

Shellac should stick to and seal the urethane. Shellac is not waterproof, so if you want to use it to seal the tacky urethane, you will need to coat it with something else. I would suggest an epoxy formulated as a finish coat, for example West System 207 hardener. Note that water is insidious. If you get water on the trim, it will work its way through the smallest cracks, joints, and nail holes and attack the oak from the back, end grain, etc. To keep the wood from rotting, discoloring, shrinking and expanding, it is necessary to coat it on all surfaces with an unbroken coat of the finish.

Re: Shower trim waterproofing

2/16/21, 10:15 PM #3

David Weaver
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Re: Shower trim waterproofing

David Weaver

WB finish with crosslinker (like kitchen type finish) would be my choice, or old school oil based polyurethane over shellac over the sticky urethane with as much removed as possible of the latter.

Re: Shower trim waterproofing

2/19/21, 6:52 PM #4

Bruce McCrory
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Re: Shower trim waterproofing

Bruce McCrory

I don't like to repair things more than once. Each succeeding repair is 3 times harder with materials 3 times worse and costs 10 times more.

I have no love for wood in water, or near water. You know that foam stuff with the ugly fake wood finish? It works better. But funkies still grow on it--out of sight. Just paint it, and cope with the lousy paint.

If I had my way we would all use an outhouse for all toiletry duties. But then, I'd never read anything.....

Shower trim waterproofing

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