Fill the bucket with clean, fresh water from your hose and add in some of your soap so that you have plenty of soap suds.
Kayak Maintenance – Cheap and Easy way to Fix Scratches on Your Kayak
You’ve recently paddled over shallow rocks, dragged your kayak through sand, or had a mishap while unloading the kayaking equipment from your truck – and now you’re staring at unsightly scratches. How do you fix the scuffs on your kayak at home without breaking the bank? Read on for a simple and insanely cheap DIY kayak maintenance trick.
Know Your Kayak
The first step to restoring your kayak to its former glory is understanding what you’re working with. What is the material of your kayak? How deep are the scratches?
Most sit on top kayaks are made from polyethylene (either LPDE or HDPE), which are durable – and fairly easy to repair. While the material is resistant to most sealants and adhesives, it does not mean that it’s immune to wear and tear.
A well-used kayak typically has a scrape or two as a testament to the adventure you’ve recently experienced. Scratches and scuffs on your kayak are not a pretty sight. Although they often amount to the aesthetic damage, there is something appealing about a smooth and shiny kayak that makes you excited to hit the waters.
Now to the all-important question: How do you fix scratches on your kayak with minimal investment and effort?
DIY Trick to Repair Scratches on Your Kayak
According to an informative video by KayakingCampingFishing, you only need a few items and a simple (yet ingenious) trick to restore your kayak’s shine and smoothness – i.e., restore it from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan.
Equipment/Items
- Fine grade sandpaper (800 to 1000 grit)
- Heat gun (or a quality hair-dryer)
- Dry, clean rug – preferably soft leather
- Kayak wax (optional)
Instructions
- Run a quick diagnostic of the kayak to determine the level of damage to the hull, including the underside.
- Clean the kayak to remove any residue, dirt, or particles that may scratch the body further. You can also uninstall the hardware for easier accessibility while getting your hands dirty.
- 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. The heat helps to melt back the sharp lips upon themselves. But be careful not hold the heat gun in one position for too long – as you might melt and deform the plastic. Always keep the gun moving for an even distribution of heat. The tell-a-tale sign of overheating is a change in shape or glossiness in any way. PS: A heat gun with a narrow tip allows for better control by directing heat to a smaller and manageable area.
- As you run the heat gun, use a dry and clean cloth to wipe the surface and help shape the kayak. It’s advisable to be gentle with this process since going too hard might leave your kayak with undesirable fibers on the surface.
- Depending on your taste, you can polish off your kayak with wax to enhance the color and protect the hull from UV radiation. This will also give your kayak a nice polish. But keep in mind that waxing is often recommended for composite vessels.
- The final step is to re-install all the dismantled handles and other hardware – followed by an admiration of your work.
Steer Clear of Damage in the Future
As a kayaker, you’re aware that dents and scratches are more of an occupational hazard – it comes with the sport. While you cannot entirely prevent natural wear and tear or the occasional mishaps, you take a proactive step by not speeding up the process. Below are a few tips to minimize damage and make kayak maintenance easier and cheaper:
- Kayaks get banged on numerous things during transportation, including the top of the car or while dragging them along the shorelines. With this in mind, be cautious when hauling, unloading, loading, and docking your kayak on rocky shores, sandy beaches, and launch ramps. This helps avoid minor scratches and dents.
- Store your kayak properly by avoiding exposure to weather, heat, and mechanical damage, especially during the off-season period.
- Take care while going down rapids or kayaking in areas with stumps and rocks close to the water surface.
- Repair any faulty hardware such as handles or missing screws to minimize the risk of slips and accidents when carrying the kayak.
Final Remarks
A worker is only as good as his tools. So if you’re invested in the thrilling outdoor activity of kayaking, it’s essential to maintain your kayak in pristine condition. This includes running frequent diagnostics before/after a ride and making all the necessary repairs – and it doesn’t have to be expensive or overly complicated. With some simple DIY tricks, as highlighted in this article, you can keep your kayak functional and pretty with minimal hassle.
Wax On, Wax Off – Why Waxing A Kayak Is Important
Composite Kayaks
Applying a kayak wax to your vessel can give it that extra layer of protection against damage. This means it could boost the durability of the hull, helping to protect it from the sun’s harmful rays, as well as scratches or dents.
If you have a plastic/polyethylene vessel, you may not need to use a kayak wax, as kayak wax tends to be more recommended for composite vessels. However, you can still apply a protective coating that will give it an added layer of UV protection and help to enhance the color of the hull.
Polyethylene And Inflatable Kayaks
For the most part, polyethylene and inflatable yaks will generally not require kayak wax.
However, both types of vessels can benefit from applying a UV protection spray.
Keeping It Clean
While it may be important to protect your yak with a good wax, it is also important to keep it clean. Remembering to rinse off your vessel after each paddling session can help to keep your yak in tip top shape, especially if you’ve been paddling in saltwater.
Rinsing your craft with clean water and making sure it’s dry before you store it can help to prevent mildew from building up on your hull, which could happen if you store your kayak inside a cover while it’s still wet.
As well as rinsing your craft with clean water, you can also give it a more thorough cleaning by using a mild soap or boat wash. This can help you to get rid of any dirt or residue that might have built up on your hull.
Speed – Waxing Can Help Your Kayak Go Faster
It is thought that waxing your kayak may improve speed. This is because the wax could help to create a smoother surface that may be better able to glide through the water more efficiently.
However, the difference in speed may not always be noticeable.
Video: Waxing For Speed
What You’re Going To Need To Get Going
If you have a plastic kayak you will probably find you can get by without using the kayak wax, as you may discover that the wax doesn’t stick very well to the polyethylene. If you have a composite boat it’s possible to use both the wax and the UV protectant.
When it comes to cleaning your kayak, the process should be the same for both plastic and composite vessels, with mild soap and water being ideal.
It’s not necessary to wash your kayak with soap and water every time you use it, but a few times a year is recommended. After each paddling session, simply rinsing in freshwater is fine.
What Type Of Wax Should I Use?
Marine grade wax is recommended for use on most composite kayaks as well as other types of marine vessels. You can also usually use car wax on your kayak, such as Turtle Wax.
There are various brands of marine wax that are suitable for kayaks. Just check that the one you choose is suitable for the specific types of materials on your kayak.
Most waxes come in a bottle or tub and are designed to be applied either directly to the kayak or onto a cloth first.
There are also waxes that come in spray bottles. These can sometimes be more convenient when it comes to applying it, as it can be sprayed quickly and evenly over the whole kayak. However, you might want to put a protective sheet down to protect other objects from the spraying wax.
No matter which type of marine wax you choose, you will usually need to rub the wax onto the kayak using a microfiber cloth to ensure even and effective coverage.
Kayak Maintenance – Polythene / Plastic Boats…
Repairing Scratches on a Kayak
Kayaking over sharp rocks, shallow stream beds, and shells, can cause scratching and other unsightly damage to your kayak. Remember that any significant cracks and grooves should be inspected by a professional. But if the damage is minimal, you can repair it yourself with a steady hand and a little heat to get your kayak looking new again.
Things You’ll Need:
- Polish
- Polyester gelcoat paint
- Hair dryer
- Blow torch
- Gloves and protective clothing
Instructions:
1. Assess the damage of your kayak. Light scratches should be left alone and don’t require complex repair.
2. Rub your kayak down with a coat of polish to remove superficial scratches.
3. Apply a light coat of polyester gelcoat paint to deeper scratches according to the product instructions. Test a small area to see if it matches the color of your kayak. Ask the paint retailer if it will work with the color and material of your kayak.
4. Take a hair dryer and run hot air over the scratches until they diminish. This technique replaces the need for paint or polish.
5. Run a blow torch flame across the scratches on a polyethylene kayak until scratches fade or disappear.
6. Be careful not to scorch or deform your kayak and take frequent breaks to reassess the scratches.
7. Heat up the end of a metal spoon on kayak with deep scratches and grooves that need more concentrated attention.
8. Gently apply the tip to the scratch and weld the surface. Work slowly and do not overheat the area you’re working on.
9. Let your kayak cool off and settle for at least 24 hours before hitting the open water.
For more advice and for other types of build material, you might want to try here: http://www.kayaknevada.org/maint2002.pdf
Restoring Colour to a faded Kayak
Small boats come in various shapes, sizes and colors, and all need routine maintenance to keep them looking and performing well. UV rays can damage or fade the color of a plastic or fiberglass kayak over time with minimal exposure. Properly cleaning and reapplying protective gel coats can increase the life and durability of your kayak. While abrasions and holes must be patched and resurfaced, restoring the color of a plastic kayak is a relatively simple process. With a few easy to follow instructions anyone can restore the color to a faded plastic kayak.
- Soap
- Water
- Towel
- Gel coat
- Plastic protectant 303 or GB-60
- Colored automotive polish
Instructions:
1. Clean the surface of the kayak with soapy water to remove any dirt, debris or mildew. Dry the kayak thoroughly with a towel.
2. Apply a colored automotive polish that matches the color of your plastic kayak. Follow the polish manufacturer’s instructions for applying the polish. This will restore the color or your kayak and prime it for applying a protective coating.
3. Apply a plastic protective gel coat with a GB-60 or 303 protectant. This will seal in the color and protect the hull from harsh UV rays.
4. Allow the kayak to dry for three days before use. Ensure that the kayak is completely dry and doesn’t feel sticky to the touch before attempting to use.
I also found the following useful-looking advice, but I’ve yet to try it yet:
1. Get a basic silicone tire shine (Black Magic) and smear “tire shine” over the boat. This will help restore oils that were sucked out of the plastic by the sun, causing the fading. This is a temporary fix and will need to be re-done from time to time (sometimes weekly).
2. Go to B&Q and get a 500ml of “boiled linseed oil” and 500ml of paint thinner. Get home, mix them 60:40 (thinner:linseed), stir. then while wearing gloves, dap, dip or squirt the mix onto a clean, lint free towel or a wax/foam pad and then just wipe it all over the plastic parts as if it were tire shine. If this mix doesn’t change it, and leaves a gray/white look still, then the plastic has been bent as well and the hazing you are seeing are actual molecular stress marks. Only fix besides paint would be a new boat. Otherwise most sun fading has no chance standing up against my mix. after the 5th application, you should be done applying it (over weeks).
