Posted: 8/20/2002 12:08:54 PM EDT
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I managed to pick up another kayak this morning, bought it out of the paper. it's 13 feet long, and has no identifiable manufacturer markings on it, Typical touring style with a drop down skeg. The problem is, whoever the maker is was not very good at the moulding process. Most of the hull has a very rough abrasive feel to it. This cannot be good for performance. Does anyone know if it's possible to get a smooth finish on at least the bottom? How about waxing it like you would a surfboard? |
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How smooth is it? I used to surf, and there were satin finished boards that were supposed to be faster than the gloss, but they were VERY smooth, just not shiny. Waxing will not help, it's for traction on top of the board. What is this thing made of? It should smooth out some with mild grade sandpaper on a palm sander. |
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Bondo bodyfill!! [:D] Just kidding, although Bondo does have some products for marine use. I would try sanding in a small, non-critical area and see if that does it. Please wear a dust mask at the very least, or better yet get a respirator. Power sanding certain materials will not only produce dust, but it will heat up and produce fumes you probably shouldn't be breathing. Good luck. |
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Quoted: From the water line down use 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Get a bucket of water, dip a piece of sandpaper in and you are ready to go. Follow with 800 grit same as above. This will give you a glass smooth finish. Then a thin coat of polyurethane, preferably applied three times. One coat, let it cure fully, then two same thing, then # three and it should be glass smooth. |
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Chances are that your kayak is made from polyethylene...same material as garbage bags...it's very durable and easily blow-molded. It can not be polished using the tools/systems that polish other (harder) plastics. What you need to do... 1. Remove all large 'chunks' of plastic that stick out from the area, using a razor. 2. Using a 'quality' orbital DA sander, start with 80 grit and work your way up to 320 grit. 3. This is the tricky part. You need to use (at the minumum) a Bernz-O-Matic type of propane torch to *quickly* melt the surface back to being smooth. Do not get the whole are so hot that it starts to warp. Just passing it over the rough (sanded) area should be enough. It is usually a good idea to have a wet (cold) towel behind the area you are working on when doing this. |