I've moved a 16 foot all wood canoe, no markings, but many similarities to a
Peterborough, into the shop. A 1920's Peterborough catalog lists the lowest grade
canoe as available either painted red or yellow. I see both colors, and several others, but
the base color is red. After trying several strippers, nothing works well, so it seems I am
condemned to sand the surface smooth, and then repaint as a red canoe. The red paint, rather
than sanding off as a dust, turns gooey, quickly filling the sandpaper. This is the first all
wood that I've restored, so have much to learn, and many questions. The internal stems extend
back about 36 inches, and there is a strip of wood, the grain looks like oak, extending the
length of the inside from stem end to stem end over top of the ribs. There are two tacks thru it
into each rib. But this strip also has 4 cracks in it. I assume the proper repair sequence
would be to take out this strip, replace the broken/rotten ribs, then replace the strip down
the center? Any tips on getting it out without causing more damage? Some joints between
strips are filled with some black substance, like asphalt, and some thread. Was this a
construction technique, or someone's attempt to plug leaks? It's not going to be possible to get all this black gunk cleaned from the joints, so what caulking is likely to stick to it to seal the gaps? And some strips particularly near the center have cupped. Is it possible to flatten them, or sand them smooth? I'm afraid sanding will leave very thin wood. Thanks for the advice,
Tom McCloud
Peterborough, into the shop. A 1920's Peterborough catalog lists the lowest grade
canoe as available either painted red or yellow. I see both colors, and several others, but
the base color is red. After trying several strippers, nothing works well, so it seems I am
condemned to sand the surface smooth, and then repaint as a red canoe. The red paint, rather
than sanding off as a dust, turns gooey, quickly filling the sandpaper. This is the first all
wood that I've restored, so have much to learn, and many questions. The internal stems extend
back about 36 inches, and there is a strip of wood, the grain looks like oak, extending the
length of the inside from stem end to stem end over top of the ribs. There are two tacks thru it
into each rib. But this strip also has 4 cracks in it. I assume the proper repair sequence
would be to take out this strip, replace the broken/rotten ribs, then replace the strip down
the center? Any tips on getting it out without causing more damage? Some joints between
strips are filled with some black substance, like asphalt, and some thread. Was this a
construction technique, or someone's attempt to plug leaks? It's not going to be possible to get all this black gunk cleaned from the joints, so what caulking is likely to stick to it to seal the gaps? And some strips particularly near the center have cupped. Is it possible to flatten them, or sand them smooth? I'm afraid sanding will leave very thin wood. Thanks for the advice,
Tom McCloud