Are you removing the old finish just to rejuvenate the look, or do you need to do something structural, i.e. have new epoxy bind to the old surface?

Hi Bob,

I want new epoxy to bind to the old surface at the bow and stern areas. Otherwise I now think I should just add a few coats of captain’s varnish to the bottom panels.  Since the surfaces are dry I think it wise to seal them before I put it in the water.  Would you agree?  Any helpful thoughts /suggestions will be appreciated.

I just bought the older kayak which sat under a tarp outside for perhaps 10 years. The bottom 2 panels have a lot of scratches and a few 2 to 3" circular areas without varnish with exposed glass weave. I mainly want to seal exposed fiberglass weave.

Also the fiberglass on stems in both ends, bow and stern, have been abraded off, exposing about a 3 inch strip of bare wood.

On review I think I should put on a few coats of Captain’s varnish except at the bow and stern areas which I’ll reglass with patches about 3” by 1” with epoxy.  I would like to remove the varnish locally in these ends, so I can bond to epoxy.

Thanks Chris

   Here is a way that Nick Shade did it on one of his s&g Petrel Plays....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jig_pGN3Yus