"Paul Oman" wrote in message
...
I have often wondered if plywood surfaces aren't contaminated with the
glues etc
used to manufacture the plywood. If so, I would assume a solvent wash and
or
sanding would remove? Anyone have an idea on this?

When building a 10ft lapstrake dinghy, I mostly wiped the surfaces with a
solvent. But many times I didn't, but never experienced any problems.

Also, how about adding say 10% solvent the the first coat of epoxy (either
with or
without the cloth) to aid in penetration of the epoxy into the wood.

Don't. You thin the epoxy, thinner evaporates and leaved thinned porous
epoxy behind. Normally, epoxy penetrates the wood sufficiently, especially
at higher environmental temperatures. If you really want good penetration,
heat the wood first and then, while cooling down, apply the epoxy. It gets
warm and thin and get sucked because the trapped air in the wood contracts.
Do not heat the wood when the epoxy is applied. You'll get a lot of air
bubbles.

Meindert