Canvas Deck

[jsfinn]

Hey fellas,<br /><br />I'm getting close to repainting my project - a 1956 16 foot Chris Craft plywood boat. It looks like the prior owner had the bow deck covered in canvas. That's new for me. Has anyone done anything like that? Are there advantages/disadvantages?<br /><br />I'm trying to decide between painting it or putting new canvas on it which I would put down just like carpet.<br /><br />This is the area I'm talking about: http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/4031a6ba_172aa/1852/__sr_/c9a0.jpg?phwMGUBBeU2Vzdul (where the bow light and blue tie down is - not the sides)<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Josh

 

[petrolhead]

Re: Canvas Deck

Canvas is the proper Old School method! It works well and if it were me I'd put new canvas on for the sake of authenticity.<br /> THIS guy's Glen-L Squirt has a canvas deck and it looks great, I think I have his email somewhere if you'd like to find out how he did it.<br />I think I'd use epoxy resin to apply and proof the canvas if I were to do it, then paint over it. The weave of the canvas gives quite a good grip surface, so don't be tempted to fill it with resin, you'll only end up having to add grip additive to the paint otherwise!

 

[BillP]

Re: Canvas Deck

Yep, painted canvas decks are the old school method of keeping decks dry. Basically it is done by heavily thinning oil based enamels and saturating lightweight canvas down. The paint glues it down and last 2 or so coats are thinned just for brushing. The pros always painted the fabric until the weave was full and the surface smooth. It takes a lot of paint and that's why lightweight canvas is used. I used a lightweight cotton painters drop cloth once. It's easy to do and stays flexible for 15+ yrs in harsh climes. Canvas was used on all sizes of boats and 1956 was the beginning era of seeing old canvas being replaced with fiberglass. If you want to be original do canvas...otherwise just coat the decks with epoxy resin and paint over it. Gluvit is one commercial product that does this well. I've used it on plank sailboat hulls with great success.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Canvas Deck

At the Wooden Boat museum in NY, all the old CC's had canvas decks somewhere and I think they looked really neat. If I was lucky enough to have a '56 CC to rebuild, I think I'd go with the old authentic, myself.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Canvas Deck

Thanks for the tips, guys. I do want to make it as authentic as possible - the problem is, this was a kit boat so there is no right or wrong way to do things! I guess the best I can do is not use any new methods.<br /><br />I'm going to put canvas on it just like it used to be. <br /><br />BillP, I like your idea with the drop cloth. It just so happens I have a brand new one laying around. If it's big enough, I'll use it.<br /><br />Do you figure I should put anything under the canvas or just put the canvas on the plywood and let the thinned paint soak through? The trim work on the sides will hold it down tight and give it a nice smooth edge.<br /><br />Thanks agains, everyone!

 

[BillP]

Re: Canvas Deck

This would be an oil based enamel with turps or mineral spirits for thinner. Old school is copper tacks or staples around the edge to hold it tight for painting. Then the trim is screwed down over the edges after the painting is complete. Paint will hold it down but you need to thin it like 30% for the first few coats. Then use less thinner and start the weave fill coats. You want it to soak through the canvas like water. It fills every nook and crack, seals the wood and holds the canvas down...but takes a lot of applications to build. <br /><br />Yes, painter's tarps are the lightest weight cotton I've found that comes in big squares. Local fabric shops sell cotton but its heavier.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Canvas Deck

I made some good headway on the boat over the past few days. I finally got the canvas tacked down. I purchased the paint and really wanted to get the first coat on but the weather man says rain tomorrow night and I have to work outside so I didn't want to take any chances.<br /><br />Here's some pictures:<br /><br /> http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joshs...://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/joshsfinn/my_photos <br /><br />I think I'll get the berth painted tomorrow because I can put a tarp over that and hopefully get the bow deck painted this weekend..

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Canvas Deck

JSFINN - You’re doing nice work. Can’t wait to see the ‘after’ pix of that canvas deck. That’s going to be a nice boat when you are finished.