BWCA Wenona Prism restoration/refinish project Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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apk
senior member (73)senior membersenior member
  
10/05/2021 10:04AM  
I thought I'd post a few notes here in case it helps anyone to see one example of a restoration project. I definitely picked up a bit of useful information from these message boards.

I purchased a used 2009 Wenonah Prism that was down to bare kevlar on the bottom of the hull up the sides to a degree (UV damage). The hull was still sound, but the bare kevlar meant the boat kind of soaked up some water and would be prone to getting torn up if scraped on a rock (there was one long scratch that clearly was cutting into the kevlar threads). My goal was to re-seal and protect.


The dealer I bought it from recommended spar varnish, but this did not seem like enough protection to me. Wenonah said "don't use spar varnish!" and instead recommended a mere UV protectant (Maxiglide Boatguard) -- but that would definitely not be enough for my situation. I could not get very good information from them over the phone, but after pressing the rep he did mention that recoating with resin is an option.

So I contacted Northstar, since I own one of their canoes and they sell some vinyl ester resin recoat kits on their site. They were incredibly helpful and after looking at some photos recommended the recoat kit. Dan gave me some really spot-on advice and Northstar has a video and instructions on mixing the resin.

I prepped by sanding with 220 and then wiping down with acetone.


To go with the two pints of resin I purchased some MEKP (fiberglass catalyst) in the form of "Bondo liquid hardener" from automotive parts store. I did a test activation and application just to make sure I had my technique down and then waited for a weekend weather window with low humidity (below 70%) and with at least 8 hours above 70 degrees.

I had a great sunny day for application and after masking off the gunwales I decided to activate both pints of resin and do it all in one shot, assuming a working time of about 15 to 20 minutes. I poured the resin into a graduated plastic tub from the hardware store and then measured out my MEKP in a little liquid medicine measuring cup. Definitely recommend wearing eye protection and a respirator!

Once mixed thoroughly I poured the resin onto the hull and rolled it out and down onto the sides using a pretty standard (not foam, but for smooth surfaces) roller cover and roller (which came with the recoat kit from northstar). I was glad to be wearing coveralls and close toed shoes because I was working fast and it was a messy job.

I think it went pretty well, but there were some spots I missed as well as, toward the end of the job, some fairly large runs and sags. This mostly occurred on the side of the canoe where I had poorer light due to shadow. I think using a work light might help spot imperfections that need smoothing out. I spotted them too late as the resin began to gel at around 25 minutes.

After the resin had set up a bit more I moved the canoe to my neighbor's deck where it would be in full sun (the UV to help with the cure).


Some of the larger sags and runs visible here


I was really happy with the results as that bare kevlar was locked up and protected now. And while the finished texture was very rough in some places (kind of like a "raised grain" effect on wood when first sealing it), and there was significant "orange peel" texture on most of it, I could have left as-is and applied a UV protectant and job done.

Those runs and sags irked me, though, so I went the extra step of scraping those out and wet sanding back up to 2000 grit and buffing with a rubbing compound. The end result is far from perfect but overall way smoother than expected, pretty uniform, and most importantly, it seems well protected.


I've had it out on my first solo trip recently to Sylvania and it's a real joy to paddle! Easily accommodated a bunch of gear, a 40lb dog, and a 200lb human. Very user friendly and feels very fast in the water.



 
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PeaceFrog
distinguished member (339)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/05/2021 11:21AM  
Nice Work! Looks like it will serve you and your pup well. Great photo BTW of the slick water and fall colors. Thanks for sharing
 
apk
senior member (73)senior membersenior member
  
10/05/2021 05:49PM  
Thanks, PeaceFrog !
 
10/06/2021 12:01PM  
Awesome. Glad you're happy with it. I love my Prism.
My guy is a tad faded but I kinda like it that way. The body is still sound.

 
tumblehome
distinguished member(2912)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/06/2021 12:37PM  
That's awesome! I love your determination to restore the old canoe.

We are not the owners of our canoes, only the caretaker. And may I say, you will appreciate that canoe probably more than if you bought a new one.

Tom
 
apk
senior member (73)senior membersenior member
  
10/06/2021 12:42PM  
scat: "My guy is a tad faded but I kinda like it that way."

Yes! The unique character that comes with age.
 
apk
senior member (73)senior membersenior member
  
10/06/2021 12:43PM  
tumblehome: "We are not the owners of our canoes, only the caretaker. And may I say, you will appreciate that canoe probably more than if you bought a new one."

Thanks, I really like this. And yeah! I did question at a couple points along the way whether this was a "smart" decision versus a new boat, but I absolutely appreciate this canoe now in a way that would not be true of a new boat.
 
mjmkjun
distinguished member(2885)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
10/06/2021 05:47PM  
Looking sharp! Great results on your Wenonah Prism restoration. I have a 2005 UL Prism w/wood gunwales and wish I had those vinyl caps on the ends to protect ends from grit & dirt whenever I pivot to shoulder canoe. I just finished sanding & applied a penetrating oil to the gunwales. I may attempt a full-on job in Spring 2022. Fall is ideal but the daily onslaught of ladybugs swarming would be a ridiculous and defeating effort, as I have to work outside.
 
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