Christmas Eve I gave my kayak a good smack. I got flipped and driven upside down into a rock. It chipped off a sizable piece of gelcoat at the bow, exposing the fibreglass underneath. I finally got up the nerve to ask if I could bring it in the house to do the repair.
Paddling friend Neville did a repair also recently using a product called Marine Tex. His repair was perfect. This stuff is advertised to form a tenacious bond to fibreglass, metal, glass, plastics, wood and porcelain. It can be worked like putty and can be sanded when cured. I got a couple of teaspoons from him to do my repair.
Its white but can be tinted with ground epoxy pigments. I didn't need much and doubted I could get such a small amount so I just applied it white knowing I could also paint it with most topcoat systems.
I decided against trying to match the deck colour, settling rather on a blood red colour to signify a wound. Maybe also to serve as a reminder to be more careful in future. And, its bound to be a conversation starter.
The bow is repaired and ready for action again. But there is a scar LOL!
I kinda like the red... maybe you should think about renaming your kayak.... or at least your VHF handle!!!
ReplyDeleteRudolph? No, I think I'll leave it as it is
ReplyDeleteI used an automotive touch-up paint - a red from Chevrolet. Hope I don't need to use more of it!
Tony :-)
Tony, it's a badge of honour!
ReplyDeleteDouglas :o)
That's what I was thinking Douglas. I considered "A red badge of courage" as a title for the post briefly. The way I see it, if I'm not getting knocked over occasionally, I'm not trying enough.
ReplyDeleteNext time I'll try to paint sutures on too!
Tony :-)