Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Avoid film finishes on frames
By:Brian Nystrom
Date: 6/20/2011, 7:02 am
In Response To: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish the frame? (QayaqGeek/Tavo)

While film finishes such as varnish and epoxy work very well in many applications, SOF frames is not one of them. The reason is simple: You cannot maintain the finish once the skin is on the boat. Film finishes will wear through an/or crack over time and water will get into the wood, where it becomes trapped under the remaining finish, causing rot. Oils are breathable, so while they are not truly waterproof, any moisture that is absorbed by the wood can also get back out. I prefer tung oil (pure oil, not the bogus "tung oil finish" products from big-box stores), as I have seen mold/mildew problems with boiled linseed oil, but I do occasionally use my boats in fresh water. For 100% salt water use, you don't need any finish with solid wood, but you should protect plywood.

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish the frame?
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/19/2011, 1:03 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Kudzu/Jeff Horton -- 6/19/2011, 5:22 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Skin coating
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/20/2011, 7:17 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Skin coating
Jeff Horton -- 6/20/2011, 8:06 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Skin coating
Bob Johns -- 6/20/2011, 6:57 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Charlie -- 6/19/2011, 5:44 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/19/2011, 6:30 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Mike Savage -- 6/19/2011, 6:04 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/19/2011, 6:28 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Charlie -- 6/19/2011, 10:45 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Mike Savage -- 6/20/2011, 10:07 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/20/2011, 9:55 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Mike Savage -- 6/21/2011, 6:15 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Bill Hamm -- 6/21/2011, 7:52 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Mike Savage -- 6/21/2011, 2:53 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Bill Hamm -- 6/21/2011, 4:18 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Mike Savage -- 6/22/2011, 9:05 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Paul G. Jacobson -- 6/23/2011, 9:46 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Mike Savage -- 6/24/2011, 6:22 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Linseed oil??
Bill Hamm -- 6/24/2011, 8:20 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
ancient kayaker -- 6/19/2011, 9:59 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/19/2011, 10:09 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Bill Hamm -- 6/20/2011, 12:30 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Bill Hamm -- 6/20/2011, 12:27 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/20/2011, 7:06 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: To epoxy, to oil or to varnish
Bill Hamm -- 6/20/2011, 2:24 pm
Avoid film finishes on frames
Brian Nystrom -- 6/20/2011, 7:02 am
Re: Avoid film finishes on frames
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/20/2011, 7:23 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Saltwater "seasoning"?
QayaqGeek/Tavo -- 6/20/2011, 7:12 am