ceadr strip and figerglass questions -- Results!!!!! ----

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David Allen

Active member
I am working on a project making decorative miniature cedar strip canoe and have a few questions as I have done this stuff before. Where it is only decorative I only plan to fiberglass the outside of the canoe.

First question is to what grit should I sand to? I have presently sanded to 100.

The second question is can I apply polyester fiberglass resin over penetrating epoxy. My plan was to apply penetrating epoxy then fiberglass on the outside and just the penetrating epoxy on the inside.

Finally, any thoughts on potential uses for a 3 foot long miniature canoe?

Right now I plan on making one into a combination bookshelf and floor lamp. The canoe would be stood on end attaching it to a base to make it stable, adding the shelves inside. I will hide a wire up underneath a keel and add a light atop it.

I also plan on making another one into a hanging light that could be hung over a pool table , bar or a dining table in a rustic camp.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
David Allen said:
Finally, any thoughts on potential uses for a 3 foot long miniature canoe?


Thanks
Click to expand...

I can't help on the glassing questions. I've only every used epoxy resin with glass. As for uses, how about a sled to haul decoys behind the boat? 3' is kind of small, but you get a bunch of teal and wood ducks decoys in there for the early season . . ..
 
I have seen cedar strip canoes of that length made into a coffee table with a glass top that looked very nice. Maybe some miniature bird carvings set around the inside or almost anything for that matter.

I'm not sure I fully understand your plan. Are you thinking of using fiberglass cloth on the outside for strength? If so I would use something like a fine weave 3-4oz cloth with epoxy only and not do anything with the polyester resin. Applying one over the other is asking for trouble IMO. After the epoxy and cloth step has been finished to your satisfaction (and fully cured) then apply several coats of Spar Varnish to protect the epoxy from UV degradation. If you don't put anything over the epoxy the UV rays will turn the epoxy cloudy over time. Is this a decorative piece only? If so, do you really need the fiberglass cloth? Also, how about just sealing the inside with tung oil or something similar?
 
Yes, the fiberglass was just to add strength.

I did think about a coffee table. Build a cradle for the canoe and a couple of paddles across it to support the glass.

Thanks
 
I'll weight in here...I built a strip canoe back in the 90's. 18', basswood strips and ash trim.



View attachment canoe.jpg

Never used finer than 100 grit. I read up on finishing in Wooden Boat magazine while in the construction phase and the recommendation at the time was to not go finer to leave some bite for following coats. This of course was for working boats, not display pieces. For your project you may want to go to 150 or so, especially between coats to avoid any scratches showing. I wouldn't mess with polyester resin. Are you trying to save cost, or what's the angle? Your boat is so small it wouldn't need much resin anyway, and all the work you have into it why chance it not adhering?
 
David~


A couple of thoughts on your canoe project.


1) I would not switch to polyester resin on the outside. Polyester resin is really intended for laminating composites structures with fibreglass (and other non-wood materials). I woulds use a standard laminating epoxy. I buy from US Composites and have been very happy with their 635 Thin Epoxy Resin with Medium Hardener for a wide range of boat and decoys projects:


http://www.uscomposites.com/epoxy.html



2) If these canoes will be used inside - essentially as furniture - I might consider something easier to use than epoxy for the interior of the hull. Varnish, shellac, tung oil, Waterlox or Cetol would each require less sanding and would provide sufficient sealing and protection to the wood.


Hope this helps!


SJS

 
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