Re-spraying a Kayak?

[itmark]

Hi - Looking for a bit of advice, preferably before I make a mess of things! I have had a kayak for about 15 years. The bottom of the kayak had a couple of small holes that I have just patched with a fiberglass repair kit. I would like respray the bottom half of the kayak using either 2 pack white (or possibly some other colour using COB). I normally use Wanda paint. Unfortunately I have no real idea what the kayak is made from (I assume some sort of fiberglass).
I have read reports that some kayak material doesn't take paint too well, so my question is - Is it OK to spray the kayak with 2 pack colour (spot prime with standard 2K primer) ? Any suggestions very welcome !

 

[madwelder]

You can get plastic primer from Halfrauds, not sure how good it is.

 

[richie00boy]

Epoxy primer is recommended as it's waterproof. Don't know what makes you have access to over there but Jotun Penguard HB is common over here.

Direct gloss rather than COB would be better as if you scratch through the clear the base would deteriorate. I'd imagine a canoe would get dragged along etc and be susceptible to scratching.

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think you need to determine what the kayak is made from, they all used to be fibreglass but then the Polypropylene and other similar materials came out because they would flex and return to shape if hitting something solid.

If it holed and the fibreglass patch has stuck really well then it's probably fibreglass, I have though seen a poly one with a good looking fibreglass patch that simply fell off the first time it was used.

Perhaps try a small hot nail on a small area, if it melts into the surface it's unlikely to be fibreglass.

 

[langy]

I think you need to determine what the kayak is made from, they all used to be fibreglass but then the Polypropylene and other similar materials came out because they would flex and return to shape if hitting something solid.

If it holed and the fibreglass patch has stuck really well then it's probably fibreglass, I have though seen a poly one with a good looking fibreglass patch that simply fell off the first time it was used.

Perhaps try a small hot nail on a small area, if it melts into the surface it's unlikely to be fibreglass.

X 2, good advice as not all are made in GRP, some are made like bumpers and GRP won't stick to that successfully

 

[itmark]

Some really good advice. I will check the kayak tomorrow to try and determine if the kayak is fibreglass.

 

[PhillipM]

If the bottom gets a lot of wear to hole it, I'd put some graphite or moly powder in the mix for the bottom of the hull to help it slide.

 

[steveo3002]

what did the edge of the holes look like ? any fibre glass strands hanging out

u might find the patches come off it its plastic and flexible

 

[madkayaker]

Unless it's quite an old boat I wouldn't expect it to be grp as it's use has been reduced for years due to new materials such as plastic composites

 

[wristpin]

I had to make up some curved rainwater gutter sections from fibre glass as nothing of the right radius was available commercially and was advised by the suppliers to use cellulose paint straight onto the fibre glass - it's been on for over 10 years with no sign of flaking of or deterioration.

 

[langy]

So what was the out come ???

 

[itmark]

The kayak material appears to be fibreglass and the patches seem to be sticking to the base material quite well. I went to buy some epoxy primer (2k) and they only had 4 litre tins (worth more than the kayak!)! The expert at the shop advised to paint thefibreglass patches with Wanda 8100 2K primer so I may give that a go tomorrow. The TDS said it was suitable for polyester body fillers, bare metal, washprimers and existing finishes.

 

[Wedg1e]

I have two GRP sea kayaks and the best way to do a hull repair is to add white pigment to the resin; that way it's a lot harder to see even if it's an untidy repair.
One of my boats is red deck over white hull and the other is yellow over yellow. The yellow boat (a Nordkapp) had been bounced off rocks in its previous life and bodged up with car filler and god knows what... I ground it all out and used new mat and resin with added pale yellow pigment and to date it hasn't leaked