Looking for some advice -
After glassing the inside hull and fixing some runs by scraping, I'm left with a hull that has a mix of weave (which is what I had wanted) and smooth areas (where I had to scrape the runs).
I plan on finishing the inside with a matte varnish, to minimize glare and maximize traction.
I admit, I'm a perfectionist and here's my question, should I:
1. Go ahead and sand the mixed smooth / weave as-is and apply the matte varnish? OR
2. Apply a third coat of epoxy (with a brush / roller) and try to get everything smooth before varnishing?
I really want to keep as much weave as possible for traction and I'm hoping option 1. is viable, but I need some advice from the experts.
Thank you.
Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth areas
Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
This is purely a builders choice, as what you do really won't effect the strength of your hull.
Having said that, my preference is two coats of epoxy, lightly sand and then varnish with a gloss grade varnish.
Here is my reasoning,(and it's debatable !)
1. When I clean the inside, or outside, a smooth surface cleans easier.
2. I have no trouble with traction on a smooth surfaced canoe, but I don't stand in them. I've never slipped getting in and out of a smooth surfaced canoe.
3. A gloss finish is said to repel UV light better than a dull finish. I've NOT found the glare to be a problem while paddling. Glare from the water is a much bigger problem.
That's my three cents worth.
When I first started building, some builders recommended one coat of resin on the inside. It is true, a second coat adds little strength, and extra weight. But I'll stick with two coats.
Good Luck !
Jim
Having said that, my preference is two coats of epoxy, lightly sand and then varnish with a gloss grade varnish.
Here is my reasoning,(and it's debatable !)
1. When I clean the inside, or outside, a smooth surface cleans easier.
2. I have no trouble with traction on a smooth surfaced canoe, but I don't stand in them. I've never slipped getting in and out of a smooth surfaced canoe.
3. A gloss finish is said to repel UV light better than a dull finish. I've NOT found the glare to be a problem while paddling. Glare from the water is a much bigger problem.
That's my three cents worth.
When I first started building, some builders recommended one coat of resin on the inside. It is true, a second coat adds little strength, and extra weight. But I'll stick with two coats.
Good Luck !
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!
Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
Faced the same issue, I use Epifanes, what was recommended for that product line was a light sanding of the epoxy, followed by 2 coats of gloss varnish (light sand between) and a final coat of the matte. The matte isn't as durable or UV protective as the gloss.
Brian
Brian
Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
First - Thank you! for the quick response!
In an early project someone told me to use the two coats of high gloss (for UV protection), then the matte finish and I had great luck with that approach.
Since i already have 2 coats of epoxy on the hull, I'm going to sand it - in a few weeks - and try the 2 coats of high gloss follow by matte and see how it looks.
It may be a few months until I get to the varnish stage, but I'll post the results then for others to see. I'm hopeful the smooth/weave in the hull will be evened out with the sanding and varnish.
thank you,
Mike
In an early project someone told me to use the two coats of high gloss (for UV protection), then the matte finish and I had great luck with that approach.
Since i already have 2 coats of epoxy on the hull, I'm going to sand it - in a few weeks - and try the 2 coats of high gloss follow by matte and see how it looks.
It may be a few months until I get to the varnish stage, but I'll post the results then for others to see. I'm hopeful the smooth/weave in the hull will be evened out with the sanding and varnish.
thank you,
Mike
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Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
I'd put down another coat of epoxy to achieve an even finish. I'd varnish (at least 2 coats of Epifanes) gloss. Then put a final coat of matte on to kill the shine. If you really want a rougher surface (although I've never had slipping problems) you can mix a bit of fine sand into a final last coat on the football area and roll it on (never have done this myself).
Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
Thanks everyone for the advice! Just in case someone else searches for this, here is what I did.
I followed the advice of putting down 2 coats of epoxy to completely fill the weave. Then I sanded it all out. Yes, this was more work than just sanding the one coat of epoxy, but it gave me a beautiful consistent surface (vs. the mix of smooth and weave I had with just one coat.)
I'm now onto the first coat of high gloss epoxy and it looks great, except I have a couple of puddles of epoxy in near the bow and stern. Going to search to see if there is something I can do to remove those before they fully dry out.
Again, thank you everyone - great advice.
Mike
I followed the advice of putting down 2 coats of epoxy to completely fill the weave. Then I sanded it all out. Yes, this was more work than just sanding the one coat of epoxy, but it gave me a beautiful consistent surface (vs. the mix of smooth and weave I had with just one coat.)
I'm now onto the first coat of high gloss epoxy and it looks great, except I have a couple of puddles of epoxy in near the bow and stern. Going to search to see if there is something I can do to remove those before they fully dry out.
Again, thank you everyone - great advice.
Mike
Re: Finishing the inside hull - mix of weave and smooth area
I've used a half moon shape scraper. I had to resharpen several times. The sooner the better !
Jim
Jim
Keep your paddle wet and your seat dry!