Fibreglass Kayak Paint Job - advice needed

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Keegan, Aug 20, 2017.

  1. Keegan
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1
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    Location: Australia

    Keegan New Member

    I've picked up an old kayak that needs a bit of TLC. I've just got to fill in one or two small cracks, all very minor and mostly cosmetic. I would also like to give it a coat of spray paint after I've completed sanding off the old loose paint. I'm sure spray paint isn't optimal for a kayak but I bought the kayak for so little and it probably won't be with me for very long hence I just want to get a cheap can of spray to give it a quick facelift. If I gave the paint job a layer of poly resin (I have a lot in my garage that I need to use), would that help to seal the paint? I'm just worried it won't stick to the spray paint? Also I don't know if the kayak is made from poly or exopy, not sure that makes a difference in this instance.
     

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  2. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    Hi Keegan,
    Just fill & sand to your level of satisfaction then get a small tin of ESP(Easy Surface Prep) from Bunnings & apply as directed then shoot it with your favorite colour & let dry before going paddling. Dont mess with the poly resin, quite likely end up a mess & could fry the paint besides being an unnecessary step.
    Jeff
     
  3. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    That ESP is not actually a coating, is it, you just wipe it on, then off , after an interval , and it leaves a residue that adheres strongly to surfaces on which paint adhesion would be marginal. I remember using it one time to "condition" shellac coated timber prior to painting over it, avoiding the interlaced cracking that can bedevil paint applied to shellac. It is a product from the Penetrol makers, I'm not sure you might not get a similar result with penetrol added to a gloss enamel, Jeff might know how that compares, but obviously if using spray cans, you don't have that option.
     
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  4. ondarvr
    Joined: Dec 2005
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    Location: Monroe WA

    ondarvr Senior Member

    Why would you cover paint with polyester resin? Paint is designed to hold up as cosmetic protective coating, polyester resin isn't formulated to do anything even similar to that.

    Polyester resin will dissolve most paints and cause them to wrinkle up, so don't even go near the paint with it.

    There's a 99.99999% chance that your kayak is made from polyester, but when painting it doesn't make much of a difference.
     
  5. waikikin
    Joined: Jan 2006
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    Location: Australia

    waikikin Senior Member

    I'm not sure what's in the ESP but it does seem to wok... I've brightened up slippery melamine faced furniture and similar with the treatment for my boys when they were small, did three little 8' fibreglass canoes for them that my neighbour gave me & seemed to hang on pretty well unless worn off by dragging up the beach. I've sprayed a fair bit of enamel & it generally sticks well, sometimes I've added some terebine but haven't bought that for at least ten years, otherwise I just thin about 5-10% with mineral turps. The ESP seems to anti static as never seem to get lint or bits in the job using it.
    Jeff.
     

  6. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    The greater the innitial efforts, the better the final results, holds true for most projects: multiple exponentially for paint work!

    Your expectations sound low, so minimal sanding of of loose and flaky paint, would give results to your satisfaction.

    Personally, I wouldn't use a rattle can on a project of this size. My trigger finger might die before competition. Too many cans needed.

    Paul
     
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