Wax/gel coat canoe bottom

Saltwater Kayak Fishing
1

Thought I would start here with a canoe question. I have rescued an Old Town discovery 158 from a friend. The canoe is about 15 years old and sound. It has lived on a dock in the sun for awhile. The hull is faded and has some oyster bed gouges in it. I am wondering about cleaning, gel coating and waxing bottom.

My thoughts on how to do it are:

  1. Soap and water wash
  2. Small layer of acetone and water wash.
  3. Light sand paper gouge ridges to smooth over
  4. Paint on gel resin coat
  5. Wax bottom.

Anybody tried this or any advice?

Thanks

2
quote:
Originally posted by medgar

Thought I would start here with a canoe question. I have rescued an Old Town discovery 158 from a friend. The canoe is about 15 years old and sound. It has lived on a dock in the sun for awhile. The hull is faded and has some oyster bed gouges in it. I am wondering about cleaning, gel coating and waxing bottom.

My thoughts on how to do it are:

  1. Soap and water wash
  2. Small layer of acetone and water wash.
  3. Light sand paper gouge ridges to smooth over
  4. Paint on gel resin coat
  5. Wax bottom.

Anybody tried this or any advice? Thanks

</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>
You can gel coat the gouges. I don’t think you can apply gel coat like paint across the whole boat?

18’ CC w/ 115 Yami

3

You can put on a fresh layer of gel coat, but it’s not easy to get it super smooth unless you have access to a spray gun.

If you have a sprayer I’d hit it all over with a DA sander - 120 grit then 220 grit then 400 grit
spray on gel coat and allow to cure

Otherwise I’d work on it with some compound to pretty it up and go fishing with the time you save :wink:

Who’s ready for a sleigh ride?
www.kayakfishsc.com
Wilderness Systems Kayak Fishing Pro Staff

4

Check with a used car manager and ask who he uses for bumper repair and paint touch up.
These guys repair gouges and tears in bumpers and follow with flexible paint and clear coat.

5

An even cheaper fix. Scuff it up and apply a light coat of bed liner paint and never again fear an oyster shell! It will add some weight though.

6
quote:
Originally posted by medgar

Thought I would start here with a canoe question. I have rescued an Old Town discovery 158 from a friend. The canoe is about 15 years old and sound. It has lived on a dock in the sun for awhile. The hull is faded and has some oyster bed gouges in it. I am wondering about cleaning, gel coating and waxing bottom.

My thoughts on how to do it are:

  1. Soap and water wash
  2. Small layer of acetone and water wash.
  3. Light sand paper gouge ridges to smooth over
  4. Paint on gel resin coat
  5. Wax bottom.

Anybody tried this or any advice?Thanks

</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Just fix the deep gouges. Paint it if it is too bad.

18’ CC w/ 115 Yami