Hi all,
I want to refinish the bottom of my canoe this winter.
I was going to basically sand the entire bottom down (to rough it up for better bonding), and then coat with vinylester.
What grit would you sand with?
It's got quite a few scratches on the bottom (none cut into the kevlar).
What is the best way to cover these up? From other jobs I've seen, even though you put a coat of resin over canoe, you can still see the scratches through the new layer. I'm wondering if there are any tricks to the trade I can use, to get rid of the scratches.

Thanks!

Easy job and actually fun to do. Just embrace the idea of being in a cloud of dust!
For the scratches try to collect the sanding dust, mix it with some resin and use to fill the scratch/gouge. Let set up, finish sanding prep, lay on finish coat.

butthead

Start with pretty fine grit, 150 or 180 grit. Hand sand, and wear a good mask.
I'd be more inclined to just roll on a coat or two of resin.
Sanding can thin the hull. deep gouges, I'd fill, or at least double coat.
Guessing this is a kevlar hull?

Jim

Also clean the hull with acetone, before coating. and I'd do that outside if at all possible. Safety !

Jim

An orbital sander is key. 200 to 400 grit will work well too with this sander.