: In the days before epoxy resin was so common, strip built boats were made
: from white cedar, not red cedar, and covered with polyester resin and
: glass cloth. apparently the red cedar was just oily enough to cause
: problems with polyester resin bonding directly to it. That was not the
: case with White cedar.

: Red cedar is easier to come by, particularly in long lengths, so it has
: apparently become the wood of choice for strip built boats, and epoxy
: resin has been dragged into use because it bonds so well to Red cedar.

: There was, however, a "workaround". If the boat was built from red
: cedar and it was coated with a layer of lacquer then the wood would be
: sealed and the polyester resin would work. I had not heard of using
: shellac, but I suspect that was the reason it was used. As long as so much
: work has already been done you might want to jsut finish up with polyester
: resin. The material has a lot of advantages: You'll save a bit on cost, it
: is a bit thicker so runs are fewer, you can put on second and third coats
: in the same day, and it is much more resistant to UV light, so varnish is
: not even needed. Instead of sanding each year and putting on a few coats
: of varnish, you can wait several years. After 10 or 15 years of use you
: can sand off the old glass and recoat with epoxy, polyester, or whatever
: new material has been invented in the interim.

: Just a thought.

: PGJ

I talked to John last night and it was laquer thinner that he used. However since he will sand the boat and since I have the epoxy this is how I'll go.
thanks a lot for the feedback, I'd have gone with the polyester except I cant stand the smell of the stuff on my clothes and in my hair after I'm done with it, (I do wear a respirator or glass out of doors). Again, Thanks.
Bob