Paint or Gel Coat?

Help, I rescued my dad's old kayak I helped him build over 45 years ago. Generally in good shape but worn at the ends and a minor hole to patch. Interior has some dry rot I've firmed up and will continue to improve upon. I remember him getting some airplane fabric and heat shrinking that to fit the hull. I'm not really sure what he used to water seal the exterior but the paint now has slight glazing cracks throughout the surface, not really sure it will even hold water. Is there a preferred product I can use to reseal the finish or is it time to think about re-skinning it? I'm even thinking about the "Flex Seal" spray/paint stuff on TV but not sure it has a smooth enough surface needed to make this old girl glide through the water like it used to.

 

Welcome the group.

Three words

Photos
Photos
Photos

It is impossible to provide correct advice without seeing the problems.

 

I think that Andy might not yet be able to post photos to the Forum, as he has only just joined - I guess this is a way of trying to weed out those who only want to create spam posts.
Andy, if you have some photos that you can easily email, I would be happy to post them on here for you. My email address is ****** (I see that I cannot yet send you a private message (PM) either, I presume because you have only just joined).

Edited to take out my email address.

 

I appreciate your understanding, here is a photo of the worst area on the bottom side.

 

That’s in pretty bad shape!
You might do some internet research on repairing or even redoing the entire skin, as canvas eventually rots.
I think gel coat is a bad idea, not good to mix systems, find a compatible paint, and good luck getting the hull into paintable condition!

 

Long term fix is to resin.

The dope (paint) has become too brittle. It will continue to disintegrate even if recoated.
Those cracks may involve the fabric.

Quick fix to get a season-
Hand sand with 120grit.
Paint with a flexible rubber based paint. It won't be pretty. It won't be smooth. It won't last.

Time to resin.

Good luck

 

Time to reskin if it's going to last. Quick cheap fix is to sand down back to the fabric, and use a PU paint over it. Problem is, if you don't know what was used originally, there is no way to know if the new paint will adhere to the old substrate.