Canvassing Shenanigans.

[Serge Lemay]

Hello everyone,

I'm probably having a stroke about this, but what if...

So the question is what were canoe builders using before the ''invention'' of the lead powder filler?

Is filling the canvas with paint viable?, some professional canoe builders are still using this method...

So, why not us? Pros N cons everyone, please

 

[Michael Grace]

The filler I use today has no lead (I hope most have no lead), so that is a non-issue to me. As for paint vs. traditional lead-free filler, the difference is largely in the solids content. A silica-based filler has a very high solids content so it will effectively fill the wave of the canvas. Paint alone is relatively low-solids, but as long as it adheres well and either you are willing to apply many coats or you don't care about filling the weave, then why not? Of course there are other products people use for filling (epoxy, lagging compounds, and more) but I have no experience with them as canvas fillers.

 

[Worth Gretter]

If you search this site, there are lots of suggestions and recipes.
I used Kilz 2 (primer for rough surfaces) over Dacron last year. I found that each successive coat used less than the previous coat. I quit after 3 coats but should have done 4 because I can see a hint of the Dacron weave in places if I look closely. Apart from that, I was very happy with it.

 

[1905Gerrish]

Lead was used very early on in filler formulas for canvas canoes. I have seen red lead used in some of the very early wood and canvas canoes that still exist and had original canvas from 130 plus years. I seem to think it was adopted from the boat builders surrounding the Bangor area. The canoe I posted a couple days ago could be older but contained white lead. Being a fungicide it does its job when added. I was just told that the native builders of the north country used just paint when they substituted canvas for bark but they lifespan expectation was only a couple years. This was the 1970's.

Just because some "professional" builders are just using paint does not make it correct IMO. They are in the business to turn profits and get work out the door. They best be treating the canvas with a fungicide or it won't be around long.

Zack