How to Finish a Canvas Kayak

The proper finish on a kayak can keep you afloat all season.

Canvas, or skin-on-frame, kayaks offer many advantages as portable watercraft. They are light and easy to carry to remote locations. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to build and, if finished and stored properly, will last for years. Waterproofing and ultraviolet (UV) protection are two key factors to consider when applying a finish. Waterproofing the canvas will help keep your kayak on top of the water. UV protection will extend the life of your finish and allow you to spend more time on the water and less time on maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Sawhorses or boat rack
• Small broom or bristle brush
• Paintbrush
• Exterior paint and/or spar varnish

Instructions

1. Place the kayak upside-down on the boat rack or sawhorses.

2. Remove any dust or debris from the canvas with a small broom or stiff brush.

3. Apply a coat of exterior paint or spar varnish to the bottom of the kayak with a paintbrush. Coat the canvas thoroughly. Raw canvas will soak up a large amount of paint. The first coat will take more time and material than subsequent coats. If you use pigmented paint, it should be applied as the first and second coat.

4. Brush on a second coat of paint as soon as the first coat is completely dry. Four coats should be applied. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coatings.

5. Turn the kayak over to expose the top. Apply four coats of paint or spar varnish.

Tips & Warnings

• Spar varnish provides a waterproof, UV-resistant finish but is not as decorative as pigmented paint.

• Use oil-based exterior house paint if you want to use spar varnish to provide UV protection for your pigmented paint. The thinner in spar varnish will melt latex and acrylic paints and cause them to lift off the canvas. If you use latex or acrylic paint, it must be applied for all four coats.

• Allow the paint to cure for at least two days before putting your kayak in the water. Thinners and solvents will still be present even after paint has dried to the touch. In humid or damp weather, it could take up to a week for the paint to harden completely.

References

• Duckworks Magazine: King Canvasback
• The Wood Shop: Wood and Canvas Building Overview