lapstrake canoe project

[DAVID EDGERLY]

I have been building traditional lapstrake canoe hull, was thinking I would paint this exterior white leaving sheer natural. Does raw wood get varnished before painting will be using marine primer and topcoat, also will paint stick to tack and rivet heads.
Dave

 

[Paul Miller]

Hi Dave,

You don't need to varnish first.

You have it right by using a primer and then the topcoat. You don't even need bottom paint as it won't be sitting in the water all season.

The primer and paint will stick just fine to all the fastener heads as long as they are clean which I will assume they are as the boat is new.

Don't forget to post pictures,

Paul

 

[DAVID EDGERLY]

I have used western red cedar for sheer strakes and northern white for all other planking. I never gave that a thought about ability to go back to natural finish exterior by using varnish what a great idea. Still have to get ribs made and installed also rails and breasthooks need to be installed so I have a little more to go before paint
Thank you
Paul and peter