Staining the sides of my 16 ft D.B.

[James Prepura]

Gentlemen,

another question ,I want to darken the sides of my boat to make it a richer color I talked to a rep. at west systems he tool me I can stain the wood first as long as I use water base stain and then epoxy with 105/207 has anybody done it this way ? I would think it would blotch the evenness of the color and the epoxy would not adhere to the wood as well. On the other hand what would be the best kind of stain to use over the epoxy and under a two part polyurethane clear 

[Mike Thomas]

You need the stain to soak into the bare wood. Once it soaks in and dries, it is what it is, its not gonna change. It would never work over epoxy. The stain will soak in and the epoxy can still soak in some too and stick. Those people know what they are talking about, and know the newer products.

[James Prepura]

Thanks it make since to me just thought I would put it out there, I'm sure there talking about not putting oil base stain under epoxy

[Rick Newman]

Alcohol based stains have been recommended before as well as analine dyes.

Rick N

[Gregg Maddock]

James, I stained the inside of my first boat with a water based stain and never had any problems. I also stained the bottom of my newest boat. Both jobs were on fir plywood. But before you stain it consider that your varnish will add a slightly darker richer color to the plywood even after it is coated with epoxy. If it is mahogany you may not want to stain it.