[parishht]

I cut the hatch right at the wood cross stringer.
Then I added a piece of pressure treted 2 X 4 to the plywood, to help support the hatch at the hinges.

As far as the ends, I bought a can of the paint for plastic chairs and such
then really laid it on thick.

I'll e-mail some pix as I Photobucket is now blocked here at work.