Kevlar Canoe Restoration

Hello,
I just picked up a 1984 Kevlar Aramid 49 canoe. It has been stored outside, uncovered for decades. It needs a new coat of resin and while I'm at it, I might as well add a new layer of fabric to help solidify it a bit. Does anybody recommend that I add a layer of fiberglass or kevlar or something to the whole boat to strengthen the hull, it may be brittle? And type of fabric I should get?
I just joined the forum and have been trying to figure out the search features but haven't found a direct comparison project yet. So if this has been covered somewhere, just point me to that. Thanks.

 

Welcome

As with the old saying
Pictures are worth many words.

Both kevlar and epoxy are very susceptible to UV degradion.

Decades of exposure may have been too many

Remove any and all varnish before adding glass.

Kevlar is hard to laminate well, but is the most appropriate cloth to use.

Use epoxy and no polyester!

Good luck

 

Thank you

 

Why do you think it needs a coat of resin? The resin is infused into the fabric and adding resin on top will not improve anything. If it has been in the sum for years and the resin is degraded, it is not worth repairing. Probably using it as a mold would be the best option if you really like the shape.

 

Well, a new Kevlar canoe is smooth and glossy. This canoe looks like it is just plain Kevlar. Like the glossy resin has disappeared. It has the texture of hardened Kevlar cloth, not a smooth surface.

 

Scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Lots of links (look at the bottom of those pages too for more links!)

 

It depends on how it was built. Resin does not disappear. It will fade and yellow with age though.

 

Joe,

Does your phone have a camera?

BB

 

Ok

 

Ok

 

That does not look like Kevlar. It would be yellow otherwise. The laminate was laid dry and that is what caused the pores and rough surface. Was that canoe ever in the water?

 

Wenonah Canoe, it is Kevlar.