Repair of Old Kayaks

[richas]

Hi All,
I have a pair of Phoenix Isere Kayaks, circa the seventies. They have been out in the weather for years. The fiberglass cloth on the bottoms (hull) is showing over most of the surface. It is as though the resin evaporated. The surface is still smooth with the cloth still adhered.

My plan is to "re-skim" two coats of epoxy resin, the first to fill the cloth and the second to give a sand-able surface.

I have never worked with fiberglass and would appreciate any advice.

Rich

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Repair of Old Kayaks

It will work.

If these were epoxy to start with, then yes the resin can sort of just disappear if exposed to UV rays. Polyester will do the same thing, but it takes much longer.

They will need to be painted if you use epoxy.

 

[richas]

Re: Repair of Old Kayaks

Thanks for the help. Why do they need to be painted? (Assuming that I no longer leave them in the sun)

Rich

 

[skansi]

Re: Repair of Old Kayaks

If you want to sell these kayaks. please let me know; rob@ohiopyleprints.com. We use them for upstream whitewater racing in PA.