Repairing a Plastic Canoe (Old Town Tripper) Step 1: Make the Crack Bigger… What!?!? Enlarging the crack with a chisel Yes, you actually need to enlarge the damaged... Step 2: Torch It! Repair kit, fiberglass cloth, and torch Applying a quick pass of heat with a torch will help the epoxy... Step 3: ...
How do you fix a crack in a plastic canoe?
After the area is generally roughed out, use some 60 grit sand paper on the area to “smooth” out the entire repair area and evenly “rough-up” the area to help the epoxy bond to the plastic. You need to do the same basic process on both sides of the crack – inside and outside the canoe.
Can you repair a polyethylene canoe?
Again, be conservative in how you use your repaired canoe. Inevitably, the repaired section of hull will be more rigid than other areas and therein lies one of the challenges of polyethylene repair: the innate flexibility of the material.
Does a large crack in a canoe float?
What a deal for a canoe from a reputable company. But then the fine print… “Large Crack…. Does Not Float”. But, Reece usually says that “Dad can fix anything”, so why not give this a try too! It doesn’t take much to get this plastic boat repair done. A little Googling research revealed that this boat is a polyethylene construction.
Can you work with a fiberglass canoe?
I know how to work with fiberglass. However, this canoe is made of a plastic material called polyethylene. That’s good… and bad. The good is that this makes it a more durable canoe for the usual bumps and bangs on rocks and such when you are paddling around. The bad is that this makes the repair a bit more challenging.
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.
How do you restore a plastic canoe?
0:0219:23Plastic Kayak Repair / Restore - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're basically reconditioning the surface. We're not wanting to take any plastic off this boat anyMoreWe're basically reconditioning the surface. We're not wanting to take any plastic off this boat any more than just what we need to to reestablish kind of a shine to the boat.
Can plastic kayaks be repaired?
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 hole in a plastic kayak?
0:436:27DIY Kayak Fix: How To Repair A Hole In Your Kayak With Plastic WeldingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll we're going to do is cover up the holes with the first layer we're going to put some wire meshMoreAll we're going to do is cover up the holes with the first layer we're going to put some wire mesh down and we're going to give that a little bit more integrity onto the hole just make it strong.
Can I paint a plastic canoe?
Polyethylene Canoes That said, the color of a polyethylene canoe is likely to fade over time, especially with prolonged UV exposure. So we've actually seen some creative and unique paint jobs on polyethylene canoes, but you won't be able to strip the original color and down and completely repaint one of these canoes.
Can you fiberglass a plastic canoe?
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.
Will flex seal work on a kayak?
5:1117:29I used Flex Seal to repair my fishing kayak! (Will it work???) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNot.MoreNot.
How do you fix a hole in hard plastic?
A makeshift cement from super glue and baking soda can fill small holes in a pinch. Larger holes in plastic can be filled with melted plastic or epoxy. No matter which method you use, you'll be able to plug the hole and pretend it never even existed.
Can I use fiberglass to repair plastic?
Fiberglass is commonly used for repairs or reinforcement on materials such as plastics, wood, metal, and even plastic foam. Fiberglass will bond to almost any surface as long as the surface is properly prepared and scuffed.
How do you fix a hole in a canoe?
3:496:36Repairing a Hole in a Canoe. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the putty does come with its own instructions it's designed to repair cracks scuffs and holes inMoreSo the putty does come with its own instructions it's designed to repair cracks scuffs and holes in canoes kayaks of the watercraft. Works and the great thing is it works on damp surfaces.
How do you fix a hole in a plastic boat?
0:594:54How to fix a hole/Leak in your plastic boat (Jon boat, kayak, sun dolphin ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHot we're going to start out by heating the the hole without using our piece okay we're gonna meltMoreHot we're going to start out by heating the the hole without using our piece okay we're gonna melt the hole down a little bit get it nice and soft try and fuse a little bit bit of that together.
Will epoxy stick to a kayak?
Commonly, plastic canoes and kayaks are made from polyethylene or polypropylene. These low surface energy plastics are hard to bond to, making repairs difficult because the plastic surface inhibits the ability to spread an epoxy adhesive and wet out the surface.
How do you restore dull plastic?
0:311:52RESTORE Faded Plastic and Make it Look NEW - Easy and Cheap!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlright so what you're gonna do is you're gonna get a heat gun. And you're gonna put it on theMoreAlright so what you're gonna do is you're gonna get a heat gun. And you're gonna put it on the lowest setting. And then you're gonna wave it back and forth over the plastic.
How do you clean a plastic canoe?
Clean your polyethylene kayak with mild soap and water. Use 303 Protectant or a similar plastic protectant to guard against UV rays and to help your boat shine. For composite boats, you should apply a car wax that is recommended for fiberglass from time to time to protect the finish.
How do you fix a polyethylene canoe?
0:146:06Plastic Canoe/Kayak Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGet it nice and soft add more plastic bond the two plastics together and make a nice watertight sealMoreGet it nice and soft add more plastic bond the two plastics together and make a nice watertight seal I've seen some people do the entire repair with just like a heat gun.
How do you smooth out scratches on a polyethylene kayak?
Use the fine sandpaper and sand back the scratched surfaces gently. Be careful not to scrub off too much plastic from one area – no one wants an uneven surface. The sanding helps smoothen the hull by removing plastic shavings. Using your heat gun or a hair-dryer, gently heat the scratched surfaces.
How to repair a kayak?
Heat the repair area. Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the kayak (or canoe) plastic so that it is hot to the touch. If you are using a powerful heat gun, be very careful not to heat the plastic too much. Ask Question.
How to know where a crack is in a kayak?
We need to know where the crack is, from inside the kayak or canoe.#N#This can be tricky, so use a pin to poke through the hull so you can mark the hole using a marker pen.#N#When you have marked the holes, you will then know where the ends of the crack are.
What do you need to make a duct tape?
You will need: A drill with a very fine drill-bit. A reel of fabric tape - this is also known as duct tape, cloth tape or gaffer tape. It's a flexible self-adhesive tape reinforced with a cloth mesh. It's quite cheap and easily available. A hair dryer or hot air gun. A marker pen.
What is a fiberglass canoe made of?
I know how to work with fiberglass. However, this canoe is made of a plastic material called polyethylene. That’s good… and bad. The good is that this makes it a more durable canoe for the usual bumps and bangs on rocks and such when you are paddling around. The bad is that this makes the repair a bit more challenging.
How to fix a crack in a wall?
First, drill a small hole at the end of the crack. This stops the crack from extending any further. Then use a chisel (or other tool) to scrape away material around the crack and bevel the edges at least 1/2″ on either side of the crack.
Can you sand a canoe after epoxy?
Spend a little extra time on the exterior of the canoe to make the surface as smooth as possible. Also make sure that the fiberglass is fully embedded in the epoxy. This stuff is really difficult to sand smooth after it has cured. After epoxy and fiberglass – inside.
How to fix a cracked boat hull?
Welding Plastic. Wash the hull around the damaged area with soap and water to remove dirt and grime, and then towel dry. Use plastic cleaner solvent to remove grease or other solvent soluble contaminants. Align the edges if the boat is cracked. You can hold it in place by duct taping the damaged place from behind.
How to weld plastic rods?
Lay the tip of the plastic welder over the top of the plastic rod. Move the rod back and forth over the plastic welding rod until it heats to the melting point . Keep working, making smooth strokes, until the plastic melts smoothly into the surrounding plastic.
What to wear when working with a KC welder?
Wear safety glasses when working with the KC welder, sander and Dremel tool. Writer Bio. Tom King published his first paid story in 1976. His book, "Going for the Green: An Insider's Guide to Raising Money With Charity Golf," was published in 2008.
Can you fix a cracked hull with duct tape?
For a temporary repair to keep water out until you paddle home, you can't go wrong with good old duct tape. To permanently repair a punctured or cracked hull, the only real cure is a plastic weld job.
Can plastic be repaired?
Plastic that is cracked, punctured or badly dented can be difficult to repair. Fortunately, modern plastics remember their shape, and if you apply heat with a hair dryer or a carefully applied torch to a fairly moderate dent, the hull should pop back into shape.
How to repair a canoe?
Duct tape can make a surprisingly durable repair. To strengthen the bond between the tape and the boat, consider the following: 1 Both canoe and tape must be completely dry, or the tape won’t stick at all. 2 A boat that has warmed in the sun first will form a stronger bond 3 A metal spoon can be heated with a lighter and then rubbed on the tape to melt the glue and further strengthen the bond with the boat
What is a good canoe repair kit?
A good canoe repair kit can prevent everything from sleepless, mosquito-infested nights to risky and expensive evacuations. But even the most well-stocked repair kit won’t do any good if it’s too heavy or large to keep close at hand.
What is roofing tape?
Roofing tape is a step up from duct tape. Used to patch leaky roofs, it is much thicker and stickier than duct tape, and very flexible. It is more tolerant to damp or cool conditions than duct tape, but a warm, dry canoe will still produce the best results. Find it in 4-8 inch rolls in the hardware store.
What is a tandem whitewater canoe made of?
Canoes are made of many different materials, and each requires different repair techniques. Most modern tandem whitewater canoes are made of a type of plastic called ABS. Different forms of this highly versatile plastic are laminated to make the strong, flexible material used in whitewater canoes.
What is marine goop?
Shoe Goo/Marine Goop is a one-part adhesive that dries to more of a rubbery consistency. It can be used on its own to patch small leaks, or used with fibreglass or kevlar cloth as an alternative to epoxy. It will create a more flexible patch that will seal out water, but is able to bend with the boat.
What to use to replace seat bolts on canoe?
A few nails (a hot nail can punch holes in a canoe to sew up a large tear) Safety pins, buttons, any other replacement parts (pack clips and zipper pulls can be a good addition) Extra string and shock cord: You can always use extra string and rope.
What to use to fix a broken tent pole?
Extra string and shock cord: You can always use extra string and rope. A length of shock cord could fix a broken tent pole. Scissors: Cutting patches, sewing repairs, etc. Tent pole splint: A hollow plastic or metal tube – use it to span a break in a pole and tape it in place as a temporary repair.
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.
What is in a resin kit?
Kit contains a 2-part polyurethane resin system , nylon cloth, sand paper, brush, and instructions. Repairs of this nature normally require a patch both inside and outside of the hull. The patch will be applied very much like fiberglass, however this resin is superior in that it is very durable as well as flexible.
Is Old Town Kayaks built to last?
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 ...
Do you need to polarize polyethylene?
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 to keep a canoe from cracking?
If the crack is small, you may be able to keep the canoe functioning by melting some linear polyethylene onto each side of the hull for the length of the crack, kind of like filling a gouge in a PTEX ski base with new PTEX.
How to get polyethylene to a liquid state?
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 repair a crack in polyethylene?
Depending on location and extent of the crack, it may or may not be repairable. It is very difficult to perform a structural repair on polyethylene and if the crack is extensive or in a critical location, it may pose a hazard to continue to use the canoe and it may be time to take it to the recyclers. The best way to determine whether such an ...
Can you trim feathers off a gouge?
If you have some gouges with raised “feathers” of material around the edges, there’s no harm in using a sharp knife to trim away those feathers. If the unlikely occurs and you have an actual crack in the hull, it’s a different story. Depending on location and extent of the crack, it may or may not be repairable.
Can you use fiberglass cloth to patch a crack?
Unfortunately, there is no reliable adhesive that can used in conjunction with fiberglass cloth to build a reinforcing patch over a crack.
Can polyethylene be repaired?
Repairing Polyethylene: Cracks and Fractures. One of the universal truths about polyethylene is that it is difficult to repair. Fortunately, it is a material that rarely needs repair, but there will be times. Shallow scratches and gouges are sometimes best lived with. Unless quite deep, they are cosmetic in nature and will not impact ...
