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KBBS Archive 00,000
Re: Using Epoxy to glue all strips
Posted By: Rob Macks In Response To: Using Epoxy to glue all strips (Monty)
Date: October 04, 1997 at 09:41:13
: I want to use epoxy to glue all the strips (hull and deck) on my kayak.
: I'm using bead and cove strips for the hull and square for the deck.
: The epoxy is three systems. I plan to mix small batches and apply with a
: brush. All comments more than welcome.
The idea of polyvinyl acetate (carpenter's glues) being reactivated by the hot summer sun probably comes from me. I go to a number of boat shows in the summer. It is unavoidable that my kayaks sit in the sun in an asphalt parking area. The heat generated by the sun on my boat deck is enough to make it very painful to lay my hand on the deck. THIS IS CERTAINLY AN EXTREME SITUATION THAT MAY NOT BE ENCOUNTERED BY NORMAL KAYAK USE WHERE A BOAT IS NEAR COOL WATER.More heat is generated by dark colored wood decks than light colored ones. I believe sun generated heat has reactivated the carpenter’s glue causing shifting strip joints to stress the fiberglass sheathing resulting in raised white glass specks. Again, I stress this has only ever occurred on DECKS of my boats. I like to use System III resin with slow hardener for my glass wet out. The people at MAS epoxies claim their resin has a higher temperature tolerance. I know Nick uses MAS epoxy. Also most of the kayaks I’ve seen of Nicks have had fairly light colored decks. There is no problem with small areas of dark color. When the whole deck is dark colored, then there is going to be more heat generated by the summer sun. I remember an article in the West System’s newsletter suggesting avoiding dark colored woods after West’s own tests with sun generated heat.
Perhaps I will try a dark colored test deck with MAS epoxy and with strips glued with carpenter’s glue and bake it under heat lamps.
Most recently, I use Gorilla glue on my decks to avoid my suspected problem source.
I’m not as happy as using carpenter’s glue. The polyurethane glue does not have the quick tack strength of carpenter’s glue so stripping is slow. I think that unless you have an unusually dry climate or shop (in winter) you do not have to worry about moisture problems.
I found sanding this glue easy. But I would like to believe Nick’s idea that it is not the carpenter’s glue so I could switch back to it.
All the best,
Rob Macks
Laughing Loon Custom Canoes & Kayaks
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KBBS Archive 00,000 is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.
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