
the only surefire way I've seen to permanently repair a coleman is to flame the crack or hole, then while still hot, grab a milk jug and heat it until it catches fire, and let the flaming drips fall into the crack- the idea is to let the two plastics melt, mingle together and become one, then immediately blow out any flames, and press a suitably textured piece of lightly oiled plastic onto the surface to smooth it.
Full Answer
How do you repair a hole in a plastic canoe?
Plastic welding kits for repair of polyethylene canoes and kayaks are commercially available. Scrub the exterior surface of the canoe surrounding the hole with soap and water. Wipe down the surface with a commercially available plastic surface cleaner.
How do you use a plastic welder on a canoe?
Spread the melted filler out using flat surface of the plastic welder. Cut off additional segments of filler rod and melt and spread them to cover the entire area. Make sure the canoe surface and the melted filler plastic get hot enough that they thoroughly melt together.
How do you repair a dented Ram X Canoe?
It can take a beating and rebounds to its original shape when dented, a common occurrence for canoes shooting rapids. Unfortunately, conventional glues, resins and patching materials won't adhere to Ram-X. Repairs to cracks and small holes in slick, high-density polyethylene must be performed with a plastic welder designed for the purpose.
Canoes made of polyethylene need special patching technigues?
Canoes made of polyethylene like Coleman's Ram-X require special patching technigues. Ram-X is Coleman's proprietary name for a variety of high-density polyethylene used to manufacture Coleman canoes.

How do you fix a cracked Coleman canoe?
2:186:06Plastic Canoe/Kayak Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to use the heat gun to apply heat and just heat up the whole general area the plastic hasMoreI'm going to use the heat gun to apply heat and just heat up the whole general area the plastic has started to heat it heat up and it's become shiny. Now I'm going to lay down a piece of metal.
What kind of plastic are Coleman canoes made out of?
Coleman canoes are made of polyethylene plastic. Models made by Pelican, the “RAM-X” models, use Pelican's RAM-X polyethylene material.
Can a polyethylene canoe be repaired?
All polyethylene hulls need to be polarized prior to any attempted repair or bonding. No material will permanently bond to polyethylene as it is before polarizing. You must first be sure the area is roughened with sand paper and clean. To polarize you will need a hand-held propane torch.
How do you fix an ABS plastic canoe?
3:086:03Keel Repair - Coleman Canoe (HPDE) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI grabbed a piece of wood and I put it underneath the canoe to have the area that has the crack onMoreI grabbed a piece of wood and I put it underneath the canoe to have the area that has the crack on it suspended. So I ended up adding a pretty hefty amount.
When did Coleman stop making canoes?
The last Coleman brand Scanoe was made in 2001.
Can you patch a plastic canoe?
Using a small drill bit, put a small hole at each end of the crack so it doesn't spread. Plastic weld the crack to complete the repair. You will need a plastic welding kit with HDPE welding rods and it works in a similar fashion to a glue gun. Plastic can also be repaired with a lighter or torch and plastic remnants.
How do you fix a crack in polyethylene?
Polyethylene has a low melting point and a lighter is usually sufficient to kick the material to a liquid state. Simply drip the new material over the top of the crack and for about ¼” beyond each end of the crack. Then repeat on the opposite side of the hull.
Can you fix a plastic canoe with fiberglass?
Multiple layers of light fiberglass fabric are best. Two layers of 4 oz fiberglass (or four layers of 2 oz) are applied to the inside of the hull and one layer of 4 oz (or two layers of 2 oz) are applied to the outside of the break to complete a repair for canoes and kayaks.
How do you restore a plastic canoe?
0:3221:37Canoe Restoration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically I'm just going to sand off the old sand down the paint job from before and cover it overMoreBasically I'm just going to sand off the old sand down the paint job from before and cover it over again. And should be good as new also got some filler.
How do you seal a crack on a canoe?
1:197:17How To Fix A Cracked Canoe - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipObviously so we're going to fill this crack with the matting the fiberglass matting. And then we areMoreObviously so we're going to fill this crack with the matting the fiberglass matting. And then we are going to do a couple layers on top here to refit the reinforce kind of like this what was here.
How do you epoxy a canoe?
0:584:32Applying a Fiberglass Epoxy Seal (Ep 10 - Cedar Strip Canoe Build)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou work the epoxy around with a squeegee to help it soak in. I spread towards the closer in first.MoreYou work the epoxy around with a squeegee to help it soak in. I spread towards the closer in first. I work to the very end cut the excess fiberglass off and then wet at the end as best I can.
How do you repair a crack in a canoe?
1:4410:17Fiberglass Canoe Repair | Canoe Restoration Segment 1 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd clean out the outside and a and patch it there and for that we'll be using the fiberglass matMoreAnd clean out the outside and a and patch it there and for that we'll be using the fiberglass mat which is what was used on the outside here.
What material is my canoe made of?
1:152:16Overview of the different types of construction used in canoesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo they're very efficient as well not as durable as plastic fiberglass canoes can be repaired. AgainMoreSo they're very efficient as well not as durable as plastic fiberglass canoes can be repaired. Again one of the biggest benefits of fiberglass is its light weight. And finally we have the wood canoe.
What kind of plastic are Old Town canoes made of?
Three Layer Polyethylene – Old Town Discovery is a canoe made out of this 3 layer polyethylene. This is cheaper than Royalex and not as cheap as one layer polyethylene.
What material are Old Town canoes made of?
Constructed of wood and canvas. 1966 Breakthrough R&D in fiberglass canoes wins Old Town the Grand Prize of the Society of Plastic Industries Reinforced Plastic Division. Selected for originality of application, design, utility, moldability and appearance.
Are plastic canoes good?
Canoes made of polyethylene are a durable, low-cost option. Built by putting plastic pellets into a heated mold, these canoes are mass-produced and are best for recreational paddling. Polyethylene canoes are heavier than Royalex, less rigid, and more susceptible to being misshapen by the hot sun.
How to clean a hole in a canoe?
Scrub the exterior surface of the canoe surrounding the hole with soap and water. Wipe down the surface with a commercially available plastic surface cleaner. These are commonly composed of a mixture of naptha and petroleum distillates and removes wax, grease and slick mold release agents from molded polyethylene structures.
How to melt filler for canoe?
Spread the melted filler out using flat surface of the plastic welder. Cut off additional segments of filler rod and melt and spread them to cover the entire area. Make sure the canoe surface and the melted filler plastic get hot enough that they thoroughly melt together.
How to make a canoe out of wire mesh?
Cut a piece of wire mesh material large enough to cover the hole or split and overlap the edges by approximately 1 inch. Melt the wire mesh into the surface of the canoe around all edges of the hole with the plastic welder. Allow it to cool. Cut a piece of supplied polyethylene filler rod sufficient to cover the hole or split and overlap ...
How to repair a Coleman canoe?
Permanent Repair - When you've reached dry land, you should immediately find a way to permanently repair your Coleman canoe. Dry the canoe thoroughly first. Afterwards, check your canoe for any dents. Get a piece of fiberglass cloth that sufficiently covers the hole and stick it using a mixture of fiberglass resin and paste. Smooth the treatment with sandpaper when it dries and hardens.
What type of repair kit is used for a Coleman canoe?
Other types of repair kits you can take with you while riding your Coleman canoe are polyethylene repair kits and cane and spline kits to repair the cane seat of your Coleman canoe. As can be seen there are many repair options for your Coleman canoe.
Is Coleman canoes breakable?
The best of brands and qualities doesn't mean however that they are invulnerable to flaw. Coleman canoes are still breakable, and it's better if you prepare yourself by learning a few DIY tips for fixing them.
How to temper poly?
Tempering poly takes a lot of practice to be good at but the steps are easy to follow, essentially use a heat gun to heat and soften the boat then a torch to melt new poly in the scratches. It is so tricky because the "soften" window is so narrow before you melt the boat. Good luck. 1. level 1.
Is a 100 pound fishing canoe worth it?
In my opinion a hundred pound fishing canoe made out of poly is not worth the effort. Keep it out of the sun when being stored and it last forever. That boat is too heavy to carry and is slow as a molasses in the water.
What is a gelcoat repair kit?
DEEP GOUGES: A gelcoat repair kit can be found online from various vendors that contains colored gelcoat, hardener, sandpaper, polishing compound, and instructions. Use to fill in gouges, chips, breaks in the gelcoat.
How to get dents out of boat hull?
CAUTION: Do not over-heat. The surface should not become too hot to touch. Apply heat by alternating the heat source inside and outside. This will slowly warm the area. Pressure should be applied from inside to aid the material in returning to its shape. With severe dents exact original shape may not be obtainable.
How to polarize a boat?
To polarize you will need a hand-held propane torch. The torch will have a flame about 3 inches long. Inside will be a smaller, brighter blue flame. This smaller flame must contact the hull in the area to be bonded. Simply wave the flame across the hull like you were painting it with a small brush.
Can Old Town repair kayaks?
Though our Canoes and Kayaks are built to withstand years of use and abuse, mishaps can occur and your boat may at some point become damaged and need repair. In the event of a problem, we recommend you contact your local Old Town dealer for the appropriate repair kit or parts. Many of these same dealers may be able to repair the boat for you or give you assistance in getting started in the right direction. A listing of additional repair shops is also available by writing or calling the factory. Following is a basic overview of the recommended repair options available for Old Town products.
