Hello All;

I was a bit surprised by a number of replies to my "Fisheye" thread, informing me that once the cloth was filled I should end the epoxy operation and move onto the varnishing stage. I respectfully disagree.

To obtain a great finish, one only has to be diligent. There are just a few rules, and the number one rule is "Get the surface true with the sanding block before proceeding." From sanding experiences on complex 3D surfaces similar to what we face with a kayak, a long sanding block and controlled material removal are essential. It's never going to look good if we don't keep the surfaces absolutely true and fair.

In the case of a strip built kayak, this will require both fairing the wood and then fairing subsequent epoxy coats. If you can read the wattage of the overhead incandescent bulb in the reflection off your kayak's polished varnish, I'd say the surface is fair. It got me $5K over market on the 'Vette I restored, so you could say I'm a believer.

To accomplish this end, you have to produce a small build-up of epoxy, perhaps a weight gain of 6-9 oz worth of epoxy, which you then fair to a near perfect surface before you begin the varnish coats. If you don't do this then you end up with what looks like the next-door-neighbor kid's Chevelle with the lumpy sides. You need extra material and a long sanding block to fair it to a perfectly smooth surface! Glossy surfaces are totally unforgiving. Period.

Keep it flat and smooth and you will always have a winner - Spidey