I picked up a 1979 16' Old Town Laker that needs some lovin'. The hull
is still in fairly good shape but needs a nice refinishing (I'm open to
any refinishing techniques). I'm going to be putting on new decks,
gunwales and seats to a tune of $100, so I'd like to keep
repair/refinishing around $60. There's a crack that has penetrated the
exterior of the hull but not the interior. What should I use to fix
this? it doesn't need to look pretty, just be structurally sound.
Should I bondo it? Should I use JB Weld? Do I need to use something
more flexible?

The gelcoat is toast in most places and looks like the canoe has been
refinished at some point. Can I sand it down? It's seen years of
Arizona sun.

I was thinking of using a primer meant for polyurethane enamels, then
using automotive acrylic enamel with a polyurethane flex additive?. I
was thinking of using something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTO-...mZ45856867 75

As far as the interior goes, I just want to add another layer of
something, it doesn't need to look as pretty as the inside, just add
some durability to the inside and cover up all the imperfections in the
gelcoat. Any suggestions? 2 part bar & tabletop epoxy? Will that adhere
to the surface well?

*** Alternatively, can I use a 2 part industrial floor epoxy to
refinish the entire canoe? I have some old (80's era) KopCoat 2 part
epoxy that I've finished a workout room floor with (the floor was acid
etched concrete). It's quite durable and scratch resistant. Would this
adhere to a fiberglass hull? ***

Thanks

-Tom

If yu decide to use epoxy (I like the stuff, but I don't know much about
an Old Town canoe), you will have to scuff up the fibreglass, as the
epoxy will be making a physical bond. I'd try it out first on a small
section to ensure it bonds well (like inside, at the stern, away from
prying eyes).

btw, epoxy breaks down in direct sunlight, so while you should use
sunlight 'resistant' epoxy, you should also use a good quality marine
varnish over the epoxy to protect it.

just my 2 cents.


TT wrote:
I picked up a 1979 16' Old Town Laker that needs some lovin'. The hull
is still in fairly good shape but needs a nice refinishing (I'm open to
any refinishing techniques). I'm going to be putting on new decks,
gunwales and seats to a tune of $100, so I'd like to keep
repair/refinishing around $60. There's a crack that has penetrated the
exterior of the hull but not the interior. What should I use to fix
this? it doesn't need to look pretty, just be structurally sound.
Should I bondo it? Should I use JB Weld? Do I need to use something
more flexible?

The gelcoat is toast in most places and looks like the canoe has been
refinished at some point. Can I sand it down? It's seen years of
Arizona sun.

I was thinking of using a primer meant for polyurethane enamels, then
using automotive acrylic enamel with a polyurethane flex additive?. I
was thinking of using something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AUTO-...mZ45856867 75

As far as the interior goes, I just want to add another layer of
something, it doesn't need to look as pretty as the inside, just add
some durability to the inside and cover up all the imperfections in the
gelcoat. Any suggestions? 2 part bar & tabletop epoxy? Will that adhere
to the surface well?

*** Alternatively, can I use a 2 part industrial floor epoxy to
refinish the entire canoe? I have some old (80's era) KopCoat 2 part
epoxy that I've finished a workout room floor with (the floor was acid
etched concrete). It's quite durable and scratch resistant. Would this
adhere to a fiberglass hull? ***

Thanks

-Tom