You were talking about paint not stain. Stains (aniline or other water
based) go on the bare wood before encapsulation and the whole thing is clear
coated. If you are talking about an opaque stain over a white base primer
encapsulate first and use a UV resistant sealer coat over the stain to slow
pigment fading.

As long as the epoxy encapsulation remains in good condition almost any good
quality exterior plywood will last a very long time.

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

wrote in message
oups.com...
Thanks Glenn, excellent answer with more than enough detail!!

Thanks also for the suggestion of trying the solid cypress although I
would preferably like to finish my Water Wheels with a stained design
so should I apply the stain after the epoxy and primer?

Finally (I promise, last question), I give customers the option of a
wooden (Marine Plywood treated with epoxy) or galvanised steel stand
although the stainless stell stand is very expensive, time consuming
and difficult to manufacture. In your own opinion, do you think I can
use Marine plywood extensively for the Water Wheel stand even though it
will be permanently partly-immersed in water? I also want the option of
being able to secure the Wheel at a specific height on the stand which
I reckon I can master.

Thanks, that's everything I need to know for now ;-)

Yes, I was originally speaking about paint but I have some celtic
templates which I may use to stain a celtic design into the WaterWheel
itself. So yes, this will be a dark stain over a white base primer.

You answers have been extremely prompt and really helpful, thanks for
everything.