Getting ready to refinish my MN3 with a new coat of epoxy on the exterior only. But I have no idea how much to order. Any suggestions?

In what quantities can you order? 2 gallons of west systems epoxy does an entire cedar strip boat and then some, and thats with soaking the fiberglass weave and 3 coats both in and out.

I would think that if you're planning on doing just one coat on the exterior, a quart should be more than enough.

Zero is my answer. Not sure where the idea of using epoxy as a finish started but it is not a finish. It is for repairs and actually building of canoes.
After I build my cedar strip canoes using epoxy I then use a spar varnish(about 3 coats)on the outside for the UV protection. Epoxy has zero or very little UV inhibitors in it. Maybe that is why Souris River canoes dont seem to fair very well with extended years of being stored out in the sun. No canoes do well stored outside.
Northwest canoe used to do a "boat coat" to freshen up the hulls of a well loved canoes. They used a marine varnish, NOT epoxy. Dennis(old owner) and I talked many times about where "epoxy as a finish" started. He and I both responded to past threads on this topic.
Save yourself $$$$. Buy a quart of Minwax Helmsman Spar varnish in gloss. It will look great, wear just fine and will hold up to the sunlight as it should.

Epoxy to build and varnish to finish.

CB

Thanks!

Cedarboy: "Zero is my answer. Not sure where the idea of using epoxy as a finish started but it is not a finish. It is for repairs and actually building of canoes.
After I build my cedar strip canoes using epoxy I then use a spar varnish(about 3 coats)on the outside for the UV protection. Epoxy has zero or very little UV inhibitors in it. Maybe that is why Souris River canoes dont seem to fair very well with extended years of being stored out in the sun. No canoes do well stored outside.
Northwest canoe used to do a "boat coat" to freshen up the hulls of a well loved canoes. They used a marine varnish, NOT epoxy. Dennis(old owner) and I talked many times about where "epoxy as a finish" started. He and I both responded to past threads on this topic.
Save yourself $$$$. Buy a quart of Minwax Helmsman Spar varnish in gloss. It will look great, wear just fine and will hold up to the sunlight as it should.


Epoxy to build and varnish to finish.


CB
"

I agree with what you said.

Does this hold true for refinishing the inside of a canoe as well.

Thx.

Yes, but use a Satin finish on the inside to cut the glare.

West Sytem hardeners do have UV inhibitors in them.

From West system web site:

" An ultraviolet inhibitor in 207 Special Clear Hardener helps provide a beautiful, long-lasting finish when used with quality UV filtering varnish. 105/207 cures clear and colorless."

I can tell you the glare from the sun off the lake will far supersede any glare that you might get from a gloss finish from inside the canoe.

Tom

tumblehome: "West Sytem hardeners do have UV inhibitors in them.


From West system web site:


" An ultraviolet inhibitor in 207 Special Clear Hardener helps provide a beautiful, long-lasting finish when used with quality UV filtering varnish. 105/207 cures clear and colorless."


I can tell you the glare from the sun off the lake will far supersede any glare that you might get from a gloss finish from inside the canoe.


Tom"

I'm certain there are UV inhibiters in the epoxy; however, it needs to be on top of the finish to be most effective. As for satin vs. gloss, to each their own.

Going to sand this down after the first of the year. Would varnish be all I need to finish this or should I put epoxy on it? When would one consider epoxy instead of varnish?

Arcola: "Yes, but use a Satin finish on the inside to cut the glare.
"

Ahhh. Yes. Thanks.

AmarilloJim: "
Going to sand this down after the first of the year. Would varnish be all I need to finish this or should I put epoxy on it? When would one consider epoxy instead of varnish? "

Jim, I just posted about this in the Builders forum.

Arcola: "

AmarilloJim: "
Going to sand this down after the first of the year. Would varnish be all I need to finish this or should I put epoxy on it? When would one consider epoxy instead of varnish? "

Jim, I just posted about this in the Builders forum."

These marks sanded off very easily.

Nice!! Well done.

Was very pleased with results of sanding and polyurethane refinishing. I used acetone but Wayne recommended mineral spirits as it would be less damaging to the decals. I used an orbital sander for most of the hull and hand sanded around decals and for more stubborn blemishes. Just applied poly right over all the decals. Didn't bother any taping of gunnels. Just wiped poly off before it hardened. Couldn't even find the suction cup marks after finished.