MGC
Scrapmaker
I just finished installing a canvas. As I was getting ready to tack the canvas to the stems I got curious about what If anything) folks were applying to the stems and or between the top and bottom layer of canvas.
What got me thinking about this was discovering that the entire top layer of my bedding compound was as hard as a rock. I am in the habit of putting bedding compound down under the first layer and then another layer when I pull the second layer over to tack it.
"The Bible" (The Wood and Canvas Canoe Stelmok/Thurlow makes a passing note about bedding compound.
Joe Seliga applied filler between the first and second layers but nothing under the first.
Building the Maine Canoe, Jerry Stelmok's book refers to applying filler, the same technique as Seliga.
I corresponded with a few folks I know that canvas canoes and found that there were a couple different approaches. Some don't do anything. Some use adhesive (Tightbond).
I searched here and found a few other approaches referenced.
These include bedding compound, mastic, Dolfonite (bedding compound), Tightbond III, Sikaflex...there is a long list of materials used. Some do not apply anything.
I'm starting this post to focus discussion about this topic:
For me, I tried a product similar to Sikaflex on the first stem and hated it. The stuff would not stay in place while I was pulling and tacking the canvas in place. It ended up getting on the canvas where I did not want it..
On the second stem I put down a light layer of 214 bedding ad found that it helped keep the canvas in place while I tacked it down. It stayed put and did not migrate....I also put it under the second layer and again it seemed like it really made it easier to tack the canvas. I did not apply much and I'll fill the gaps and cloth with filler when I do the rest of the boat .
I'm really interested to hear what everyone else does and recommends. I'm not sure that what I do is right and it's clearly not the only way.
What got me thinking about this was discovering that the entire top layer of my bedding compound was as hard as a rock. I am in the habit of putting bedding compound down under the first layer and then another layer when I pull the second layer over to tack it.
"The Bible" (The Wood and Canvas Canoe Stelmok/Thurlow makes a passing note about bedding compound.
Joe Seliga applied filler between the first and second layers but nothing under the first.
Building the Maine Canoe, Jerry Stelmok's book refers to applying filler, the same technique as Seliga.
I corresponded with a few folks I know that canvas canoes and found that there were a couple different approaches. Some don't do anything. Some use adhesive (Tightbond).
I searched here and found a few other approaches referenced.
These include bedding compound, mastic, Dolfonite (bedding compound), Tightbond III, Sikaflex...there is a long list of materials used. Some do not apply anything.
I'm starting this post to focus discussion about this topic:
- Is it necessary to apply anything between the stem and the first layer of canvas?
- Should there be something applied between the first and second layer?
- Should it be a material that hardens completely and adheres (like the Tightbond III) or should the material remain somewhat compliant?
- Is a layer of filler adequate? Is it OK to do nothing and then rely on the filler applied to the canvas to seal up the gaps?
- What is the most preferred material to use?
For me, I tried a product similar to Sikaflex on the first stem and hated it. The stuff would not stay in place while I was pulling and tacking the canvas in place. It ended up getting on the canvas where I did not want it..
On the second stem I put down a light layer of 214 bedding ad found that it helped keep the canvas in place while I tacked it down. It stayed put and did not migrate....I also put it under the second layer and again it seemed like it really made it easier to tack the canvas. I did not apply much and I'll fill the gaps and cloth with filler when I do the rest of the boat .
I'm really interested to hear what everyone else does and recommends. I'm not sure that what I do is right and it's clearly not the only way.