: when you look at his pics, there is virtually NO sidways movement compared to
: the linear. you would hope for a more diffuse effect in the neighborhood
: of the hole.

: http://www.rotdoctor.com/test/test.html

CPES will penetrate only where there is a "vacancy" to seep into. This why in our testing we used balsa blocks cut out of a single balsa log. The balsa worked as an "index" to relative penetration of the different products. If we had done the testing on deteriorated wood, I can assure you you would have seen penetration in all directions.

When Steve Smith talks about 1/32" penetration, he is refering to a specific wood which is in good condition. Softer woods will absorb more CPES and absorb it deeper -- it all depends on the wood and its condition.

The real value of CPES in new boat construction, or refurbishing older boats, is its ability to seep into cracks and seams. This is where water goes when it gets to wood, and this is where wood deterioration generally begins. The water is trapped, the right moisture levels are reached, the temperature becomes correct.... CPES helps prevent deterioration from beginning, because it 1) basically sterilizes the area (we can't "officially" make this claim because it has to do with the EPA and pesticide requirements, but you know that anything saturated with the kind of solvents that are in CPES is going to be a sterile field) and 2) it coats the wood fibers and the spaces between them with epoxy resin. True, it may only penetrate 1/32", but that is enough to discourage fungi or bacteria from chewing on the wood. As I noted in another post, it was the ability of CPES to stop and prevent the recurrance of wood rot that led us to become involved with Steve Smith in the marketing of the product.

Now, for a little "counter-marketing". Someone else on this thread asked the question, "Do we really need it?" It's a very good question. You guys build small boats that are tightly constructed and are dry-sailed, and generally stored under cover. So the question becomes: Do the boats ever absorb enough moisture and hold it long enough under the proper temperature conditions to create an environment in which wood rot/deterioration can develop? Maybe not, and so maybe you don't need CPES at all. But it WILL protect, if you think you need it, and it WILL serve as probably the best prime coat you could use for final varnish/paint coatings. If you folks were rebuilding Egg Harbor wooden yachts, I say Yes, definitely, you should use CPES because it will protect the wood. But for you guys...?

Now, take a look around your home and see what kind of condition the wood is in... :>)

Jim
THE ROT DOCTOR
http://www.rotdoctor.com
Phone: 206 364 2155
Fax: 206 364 4744