Filling questions….again!

[chris pearson]

I’m forever chasing a better way. I’m my own worst enemy, I know. But……I’m always open to advice from folks even after 43 years of restoring canoes! Do you guys think there is a difference in using a heavy nap roller vs a brush? I use a roller and it’s way easier. Seems you can apply the filler way more efficiently and “load up” the canvas. Am I wrong? I’m never happy in the end, even though it looks pock mark free. Thoughts?

 

[Dan Miller]

I would think how you apply it is less important than how well you work it into the canvas.

 

[Dave Wermuth]

Hmm I may have to try that. I'll report back in 43 years.

 

[MGC]

Dan is right, but I can't imagine using a brush for that. I've never tried it. A roller works pretty well.

 

[ALCEDO ATTHIS]

when I do mine two years ago , it was plastering knife
, roller and brush , plastering knife
to smooth the angles of old wood planking so dried and for applied thrue the canvas , a paint special to repair rainy areas on home

 

[patrick corry]

I use a cheap 6" foam roller to apply the filler. I typically use Kirby's filler which seems "thin" when applying, though it thickens nicely with liberal application and thorough rubbing with the canvas mitten. I've also smoothed it when almost dry with one of those thin knit garden gloves with the rubberized palm. At that point it's no longer sticking to the glove surface and smooths quite nicely.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/FIRM-GRIP-Large-Nitrile-Coated-Work-Gloves-10-Pack-5510-16/203423243#overlay

 

[Michael Grace]

Hi Chris. I've always used a standard paint roller with medium nap. I've never tried a brush, but imagine it would only slow me down because laying on with the full-size roller goes so fast. Like you also, I rub and rub after each coat but always wish it came out smoother. But this is where judicious sanding and fairing with a glaze and/or primer and/or paint comes in. I've resigned myself to the notion that there are no shortcuts. Sometimes it gets frustrating that even if you do lots of woodwork on some cedar-canvas canoes, the longest slog may still be canvassing, filling, rubbing, fairing, and painting. Ugh, but it is what it is.