18 foot 1968 Old Town guide. Should I recanvas?

[jeporter25]

My father bought this canoe new in 1968. He did a full restore in the late 80s or early 90s. At some point he used silicone to repair some hairline cracks in the finish of the hull. There are no tears in the canvas and the wood seems to be clear of rot. I would like to put it back in the water. I am wondering if I can remove the outwales and keel, remove the silicone, sand and fill the minor cracks in the finish and re prime and paint or if I will need to replace the canvas. If I can go that route, what should I use as a filler and paint and primer. I live in california so I have limited access to high VOC paints and fillers but if I need to I can bootleg them from Reno. Any advise is helpful and appreciated.

 

[MGC]

Silicone is a one-way street. The preferred Ambroid is no longer available, but that is what is generally used. As a rule, do not use anything with silicon in it on your hull.
Once it is on the canvas, there is no turning back. Your best bet is to try the boat in water and see what happens. If it leaks, your options are more silicon or a re-canvas. Paint will not hold where there has been silicon applied.

 

[jeporter25]

Interesting, the silicone is failing and can pretty much be peeled off by hand. I wonder if I can get it all out.

 

[MGC]

It does that but unfortunately paint will not adhere properly wherever it was used. I've run into it on boats and also home repairs. I go out of my way to avoid silicon products for that reason.

 

[Dan Lindberg]

Yes, no silicon of any kind allowed in my shop.
But how many cracks are we talking about, can they be "dug out" and a different "filler" cover them to seal the silcone, to prepare for new paint.
But note this is just a temp bandaid until it's time for new canvas.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

I wanted to see the effects of silicone for myself. It isn't good. Not allowed here either.

 

[Sven Yohnson]

Since silicone is no longer used for breast augmentation, it serves no practical purpose. I motion that it be banned!

 

[andy52]

I have a1943 that has cracks in the paint on the hull my plan is to sand it a smooth as possible cut a billet along the cracks with a Dremel tool and small grinding wheel, apply epoxy lightly and re-sand before painting.

 

[MGC]

A friend applied Gluvit to his canvas in order to avoid recanvasing. I don't recommend it, but for him, it has served its purpose. He has used it that way for over 10 years.
I would caution you to be sure that the epoxy you use does not weep through the canvas and bond it to the planking. That would turn a future recanvas into a bit of a nightmare.

 

[jeporter25]

Whelp I'm sure I will be seeking much advise for recanvassing the canoe.