canvassing a kayak deck-no backing material

[bob goeckel]

what would be the best way to get a smooth finish since sanding is not an option. is another material a better bet? i don't want to use aircraft type materials. this kayak is about 60 yrs old so i want to be close to traditional as i can. thanks

[Todd Bradshaw]

I'm not sure what the "traditional" approach would even be. Boats like Kleppers have just used a canvas-like fabric (most likely acrylic or polyester in recent times)with nothing but some kind of water-repellent treatment on it for many years. Some builders have used house paint on canvas with good results, but it won't completely hide the weave. I doubt the traditional canoe fillers would be a good choice on an unsupported structure. They will certainly generate a weave-free, smooth surface, but add a lot of weight in doing so and most don't flex much and would likely crack. I also suspect that you could deck it with plywood and wind-up adding less weight than canvas and filler might.

Some of the skin boat builders are using heavy nylon and coating it with brushed-on liquid Hypalon, which is quite tough, looks pretty good and doesn't stand out like a sore thumb by looking outwardly "modern".

If I had to do one, I'd probably cover the deck with something like "Top Gun", a sturdy polyester awning and boat cover canvas similar to Sunbrella but coated on one side and since it's polyester it resists abrasion better. I'd pick a believable traditional canvas color (navy, red, natural, etc.) do a nice neat job and leave the weave alone.

[Paul Scheuer]

Sixty years isn't too long ago for "naugahide" and similar stuff. This toy is near fifty, and I believe that the Folbots were around in the fifties, maybe earlier. The deck fabric is stretchy vinyl over a stretchy weave almost like a tee shirt. This is a Sporty, Rigid 15.


http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid74/p2cafbb89fbeb7d5eb6686862c010a22c/fb5fef5a.jpg

[nedL]

I have three wood frame, canvas covered kayaks, the oldest frame being probably the 1930's & the oldest canvas being 1974. All are plain cotton canvas with exterior oil based 'porch & trim' paint (can't beat the $5 a gallon mis-tints). I'm not sure how I'd go about achieving a really smooth surface if I had to. I will say that with a careful sanding using a coarse grit paper (about 60 grit) to knock of the fuzzies & high spots, the finish is pretty smooth after just three coats. (though "smooth" is subjective) Certainly the weave is almost full and the surface is not at all rough (quite smooth) to rub your hand over. just be careful not to sand heavilly right on the ribbands under the canvas. Just some thoughts... :)

[bob goeckel]

thanks for the advise folks!!!!

[Three Cedars]

Check out Tom Yost's website - great info on skinning with PVC coated Polyester, the 18 oz material is the one to use.

http://yostwerks.com/MainMenu.html