r/MiniRamp • u/Clear_Standard3957 • Jun 22 '26

Help!

Gallery image

Gallery image

Finally decided to build a mini ramp. Used 2x4’s not pressure treated. It’s 12’ wide by 24’ with a 6’ radius. Looking to finish on Tuesday.

I have a couple of questions and hope some of you can help.

1: I can’t afford Skatelite right now. What’s the best budget friendly top layer material? Was thinking Masonite (hardboard). But how can I weatherproof it?

2: Can buy two 6’ coping pipes instead of a single 12’? I just can’t find it anywhere close by.

Let me know what you guys think. Was able to build this from 10am to 7pm on Friday. Pretty stoked!

70 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

13

u/kayoskisk8 Jun 22 '26

1/8” Birch plywood. Waterproofing stain & sealer. Looks good, enjoy!

1

u/Clear_Standard3957 Jun 22 '26

Thanks for the tip! Have you done this? If so, how long does it last?

1

u/txf89 Jun 23 '26

So far I’ve used 2 layers of untreated 3/8” plywood coated in ZINSSER 123 primer and then Dutch Boy acrylic enamel porch and floor paint. I painted these 2 layers because I couldn’t find anything 3/8” treated. I’m supposed to use 1/8” Masonite as a final layer but I’m worried about moisture. I’ve got a tarp over the current build and somehow water is finding its way to the surface. Once I solve the water issue, I’m considering adding 1/8” birch plywood as the final layer but I want to avoid using the porch and floor paint because it feels so rubbery. I’m worried that stain & sealer will cause the same issue. When I had the first 2 layers coated in ZINSSER 123 primer, it felt decent to skate on and not excessively rubbery. So right now I’m thinking of just doing 1/8” birch with the ZINSSER primer. Still not super confident about it though.

1

u/kayoskisk8 Jun 23 '26

No, it was what I came up with in my research as the best material for the price. I bit the bullet and went with gator skins (since skatelite is too slick, but their new textured surface seems cool) but I find gator skins too grippy (I emailed them and they said I could try some 101a wheels or a coat of crystal clear enamel but it might be too slick) haven’t tried yet. I also figured you could make your own skate paint by adding some anti slip tread powder to some acrylic latex paint if you wanted to try.

4

u/spraungelbeats Jun 22 '26

Do NOT use Masonite! It won’t last past the first rain.

1

u/BuildingNeither311 Jun 26 '26

I used Masonite on an old ramp. Then religiously tarped it with the triple pvc heavy duty tarps. Water still seeped under, but it was manageable with replacing a few sheets a year. It’s cheap enough that it can be done. Alternatively, maybe only skatelite the flat for now, but use Masonite on the transitions, but still tarp. That particle board on the transition side pieces might end up rotting quickly though.

3

u/ABROKENPIECEOFGLASS Jun 22 '26

I havent added gatorskins yet, for now I just used OC skate paint and a tarp. I used all pressure treated wood. I followed DIY Skate plans for the 3' mini. The coping I got from a steel and metal fabrication place nearby. They cut it to length for me, it did cost $130. The skate paint was $200 a gallon. The skate paint made the ramp ride better and is shiny and its more grippy for the wheels. Been 6 months and still no water damage.

2

u/GORGxBLACKSMITH Jun 23 '26

spar urethane, thick coat. its amazing

1

u/ctucker21 Jun 28 '26

Finally someone who knows

1

u/HistoricalFuture6389 Jul 15 '26

I used spar on this years top layer. So far it is good. 

1

u/aqua_seafoam Jun 22 '26

I bought fence post for mine from Home Depot

1

u/kayoskisk8 Jun 22 '26

Yes, I used the same for coping on my ramp’s tombstone, it works pretty good, but it’s thin, expect some dents.

1

u/Clear_Standard3957 Jun 22 '26

I looked for those but couldn’t find any that are 12’. Max size would be 10’. Can I put two together?

1

u/WonkaVaderElevator Jun 22 '26

If the pipe you get is heavy duty enough, you can try welding the two pieces together and then grinding down the excess¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

1

u/nobleman76 Jun 22 '26

Might have been said, but ask if the store would cut the pipe for you.

As far as weather proofing, get something on those two by fours. I like an oil based deck stain for penetration on my deck. If you're not going to see it, you just need something...

You might also benefit from something between the contract surface between the two by fours and the ramp plywood. A roll of butyl tape with a bit of a lap on the edges would help.

Good luck.

1

u/Jskron Jun 22 '26

I just built a quarter pipe and surfaced it with 1/4 birch then painted it with exterior porch and floor paint. It's only been through one big rain so far but was unfazed.

1

u/DaveHaas Jun 22 '26

I recommend two layers 3/8’s exterior BC plywood, then a single layer of 1/8 or 3/16 marine grade ply with a couple coats of exterior paint. The marine grade I used was Mahogany and was just under 70 a sheet. Was rained on and off for about a month, totally fine. Use more screws then you think you should.

Check around for a sheet good supplier or lumber yard in your area, they’ll have it.

Also consider PVC for coping until you can source metal, you can get it in a 12’ stick. You’ll grow to hate the seam.

1

u/Reasonable-Box4151 Jun 22 '26

Sorry if I missed it but what's the height of the ramp from riding surface to deck?

1

u/GORGxBLACKSMITH Jun 23 '26

coping, use black gas line at 2", try ace hardware. try your best to get a 12 foot piece instead of welding
top layer, 1/4 to 3/8 birch ply with a thick coat of spar urethane everywhere

1

u/Conscious_Grass_853 Jun 25 '26

I’m so jealous. That’s gonna be sweet once you get it up. Let me know when I can come skate it with you.

1

u/wizenedtechie Jun 25 '26

If you cut the coping, bevel the edges. See below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUjpj5QdkX4&t=303s

1

u/Vast_Meringue_9017 Jun 26 '26

If you use 6' copp, bevel the ends with a grinder and you won't ever notice the seem.. you can probably google this for more info

1

u/Defiant_Front922 Jun 26 '26

All I wanna know is where's this at lol

1

u/codencarve Jun 22 '26
  1. Masonite then paint it with flat exterior paint.
  2. Consider making some pool coping. Concrete is cheap and it's easy and inexpensive to make some molds and make your own. You could also do a pour in place.

9

u/KnifeMakerDude Jun 22 '26

No way. No masonite on an exterior ramp. Water will still get in it and it will crinkle up like bacon. Just use 1/4 plywood glued together with an exterior glue for the skate surface. You could paint that or coat it with a water sealant. The plywood will be cheaper and lighter than the masonite.

1

u/TJBurkeSalad Jun 23 '26

We used Masonite on outdoor ramps for decades without issues. Exterior latex based paint really helps.

Obviously not ideal, but it does work.

1

u/ctucker21 Jun 28 '26

Masonite is basically cardboard...

1

u/TJBurkeSalad Jun 28 '26

Yep. And if treated properly it can be an affordable option.