This past weekend I took the time to refinish my Souris river canoe. The underside of the ribs was experiencing a lot of wear, so I contacted the rental store where I bought the canoe. Their maintenance guy suggested putting strips of fiberglass veil on the underside of the ribs while doing the epoxy coat.

I kind of regret this decision since the veil left a very rough surface on the underside of the boat. I am going to sand it down and refinish it. This being a lightweight (41lb) portaging canoe I would prefer to keep the weight down.
Looking for advice here. Will sanding the bottom of the hull and coating with polyurethane give me a smooth fast finish, or do I need to apply another layer of epoxy?
PS for anyone curious the boat is 90% Kevlar but the outermost layer is fiberglass which is why you can sand the outside.

PICTURES:
https://imgur.com/gallery/RELBq

Thanks

Al

I'd add a couple more coats of epoxy over the added fiberglass to fill the weave, then sand it smooth, and top it all with spar urethane.

Alan

I am curious as to the weight cloth that you describe as a "veil".

I'm with Alan. Just refinished my SR Tranquility and used no epoxy, just Epifanes spar. I am planning to spot some worn areas on my Q17 with epoxy, sand, and Epifanes. I would not add material unless it's really broken or cracked and maybe only if through.

This is the stuff I used:
http://www.noahsmarine.com/itemMatrix.asp?ic=VM38&MatrixType=2

0.5 OZ X 38" FIBERGLASS VEIL MAT that I cut into strips.
A very fine version of chopped strand mat.


I regret adding the extra material, did not think it would soak up this much epoxy and still remain rough. hopefully after a sanding and another coat I will be able to get it all smooth again without adding too much weight.

quote LittleCleo: "This is the stuff I used:
http://www.noahsmarine.com/itemMatrix.asp?ic=VM38&MatrixType=2


0.5 OZ X 38" FIBERGLASS VEIL MAT that I cut into strips.
A very fine version of chopped strand mat.



I regret adding the extra material, did not think it would soak up this much epoxy and still remain rough. hopefully after a sanding and another coat I will be able to get it all smooth again without adding too much weight. "

I'd add the epoxy first and then sand. If you sand now you'll sand into the weave. When doing fiberglass you need to add enough epoxy to fill the weave of the fiberglass so it's smooth. Then what you're actually sanding is the epoxy above the weave.

ThIs usually takes 2-3 coats of epoxy Then is sanded smooth ('d suggest wet sanding) after the epoxy cures.

spar urethane is then applied.

Will the epoxy bond with unsanded epoxy?

I've revarnished my green SR a couple times....looks beautiful when one is done but I wish the stupid scratches would not show up so easily....
this is the process I used.... Joe in Ely used to have it on his website.

Refinish SR Canoe

dr bob

Surface veil is often used to cover an area that you don't want sand down into. So you have a worn area at each rib. If you sand the whole boat equally, you'll be sanding down into the cloth at those areas. The veil is not structural, but it protects the fiberglass as you smooth out the boat.

I would sand the ribs areas, where you put the veil, to get them smooth. Be careful not to get down into the fiberglass. Then sand the whole boat lightly and roll on a layer of epoxy resin. Sand that smooth, maybe wet sand with 150 grit. Then put on your spar vanish. If you really want a nice finish you can wet sand the first coat of varnish with 240 and apply a second coat.

If you ever do this again, go real easy on the epoxy when applying the veil and squeegee off all excess epoxy. That veil is only 10/1000 of an inch thick, but it will float in excess resin and be very "unsmooth".

quote sedges: "Surface veil is often used to cover an area that you don't want sand down into. So you have a worn area at each rib. If you sand the whole boat equally, you'll be sanding down into the cloth at those areas. The veil is not structural, but it protects the fiberglass as you smooth out the boat.


I would sand the ribs areas, where you put the veil, to get them smooth. Be careful not to get down into the fiberglass. Then sand the whole boat lightly and roll on a layer of epoxy resin. Sand that smooth, maybe wet sand with 150 grit. Then put on your spar vanish. If you really want a nice finish you can wet sand the first coat of varnish with 240 and apply a second coat.


If you ever do this again, go real easy on the epoxy when applying the veil and squeegee off all excess epoxy. That veil is only 10/1000 of an inch thick, but it will float in excess resin and be very "unsmooth"."

Thank you very much. This is the advice I was looking for. Confirmed my belief that adding more epoxy would not have made it smoother.

1) Will this do for spar varnish?
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/armor-coat-spar-varnish-0489829p.html

2) Also wondering do you roll on the varnish or better off brushing it on?

3) And what are the advantages to wet sanding vs dry sanding? is it only to prevent dust?

Thanks again

I cannot read the label on that varnish. The important thing is that the varnish must have a UV filter or UV inhibitor. The purpose of the varnish on epoxy is not cosmetic, it is to protect the epoxy from degradation by UV light.

Rolling or brushing does not matter. You will get lots of differing opinions on that. If you brush, get a decent brush. If you roll you will need to tip off the varnish with a brush. Some folks get fine results with cheap foam brushes. Its not like this is wood boat where you might want an extra fine finish.

Wet sanding prevents the paper from getting clogged up with resin or varnish. When that happens, you get bigger scratches in your surface. This doesn't happen so much with wood, just with resin and varnish. If you can wet sand outside clean up with a hose as easy. Do not wet sand with a machine unless it is double insulated. I use a double insulated palm sander and spray bottle with water. I spray a section before I start sanding it. It doesn't take much.

DrBobDg: "I've revarnished my green SR a couple times....looks beautiful when one is done but I wish the stupid scratches would not show up so easily....
this is the process I used.... Joe in Ely used to have it on his website.


Refinish SR Canoe


dr bob"

When you refinish with varnish, do you use Satin or Gloss finish? I'm thinking it would be the gloss finish - right?

I used Epifanes gloss. I see Red Rock recommended Pettit Captain[s - which is available in gloss and satin. I just think gloss is correct. I believe satinshave more drying oils and will not flow as well. Even if I want satin, all coats except final are gloss. Don't recall where I learned that.

I use Epifanes clear spar varnish.
You will be very pleased with the outcome. Just be sure to dilute it per the instructions.