Good day everybody,
In the next week I'll be closing the hull on my first build. There's been a lot of learning going on but it's been a great time. There's a lot of sanding to do and some crack filling to hide some mistakes but then...

What do you think, should I do stain the wood before adding fiberglass epoxy? How do you all handle this?

No one stains, or have never heard of anyone staining a strip boat.
Built quite a few.
CB

Color of the wood comes out when you apply the epoxy. My favorite time of the build. When the boat comes alive. I know very corny.
CB

As others have said, no stain, ever. But make sure you get all the glue blobs off because they will show up.
Tom

I suspected as much but before I went any further I thought I'd check. Thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

If you Look up Nick Schade's videos on you tube, you will find a few videos where he stains Kayaks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS883ZvdaCE
another

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vsXdFtP-4

I watched one of his videos most of the way through but with no sound.
To expand on my statement about no stain: It's not that you can't but for at least two reasons I wouldn't.

The open pores and grain of cedar make it difficult to stain without a muddy finish appearance. And second, the warmth and beauty of the wood comes out with epoxy. Unless you are a master at stains and finishes, it would probably turn a great project into a disaster.

I have seen plenty of videos on Youtube of canoe/kayak builders doing some really weird things on their boats. Stuff that makes me scratch my head. However, building a canoe is an artistic expression so I embrace it all. However, there are technical aspects to building that should be adhered to and certainly craftsmanship comes into play. Patience is probably the most critical personality trait needed behind knowledge and that's where having an experienced hand is helpful.

Patience was a personality trait I was not born with and until later in life did I find it. Maybe a good mantra for a first-time builder is 'Follow the rules' and leave the experimentation for down the road.

Tom

Agree ! Great points Tom.

I don't see me ever staining a stripper. Why put make up on a pretty girl ?

1JimD: " Agree ! Great points Tom.


I don't see me ever staining a stripper. Why put make up on a pretty girl ?



"

Jim, that is a beauty!! Look at how rich and warm that wood looks. I bet it’s a feather in the water. Thanks for sharing.

Tom