Fairing cedar before canvas?

[churchman]

Has anyone used a product to fair out the cedar strips before putting on the canvas? My Chestnut is pretty rough. But maybe it doesn't need to be perfectly smooth before canvassing?

 

[Dave Wermuth]

In my experience the rasp marks don't show through if that's what you mean, but edges of newly installed planking will. I would not use a faring product except maybe tack holes/divots. I would fair it with a long board. I run my hand over and feel for anything that might show up under canvas. tack heads are the worst culprits.

 

[MackyM]

Dave, long board as in pneumatic or flexible.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

I use a cedar board about 3" x 24" and glue or otherwise fasten a 3" x 24" belt sander belt of, as course as I can get, usually 40 grit. I have a handle on one of my boards similar to a plane's handle. A longer sanding belt could be used. I think Chestnut may have used farrier's files (rasps?)to take off the high spots. I work the board at about 45 degrees to the plank across the edges. If I had a flexible longboard I'd try it but I don't.

 

[Andy Hutyera]

I do what Dave does. I Noticed that Joe Saliga used a belt sander. I think iit might work well if used with care, but it would be easy to overdo. I'm thinking of trying it next time.

 

[churchman]

Thanks, guys. The new planking will need considerable work, I'm thinking. I hadn't thought of using a long board, even though I used one on a previous kayak. Just reset the tacks as I get to them.