Consider all paint options
The paint discussion is a good one, and I'd like to hear more ideas about using a variety of modern paint formulations on w/c canoes. A lot of the talk on these forums revolves around traditional methods and reversibility of what we do so that the boats are eternally repairable. I agree with this approach, but when we are dealing with the canvas and what goes on it we know that it will be replaced at some point regardless of what we put on it. So it seems we should be wide open to finishes on the canvas itself.
I'm all for going cheap and basic when it yields good results, but not every paint off the shelf at the local hardware store produces a durable and beautiful finish on a boat. (Of course, depending on the canoe we may be willing to settle for less in some cases. That's OK, but at the moment I am looking for the products and techniques that give the best chance for high quality finishes.) The alkyd paints that have been around for years seem to be the choice of most of the best builders, and I take that seriously - they are what I use. The marine paint manufacturerers are replacing those lines with a host of polyurethanes. (e.g. Interlux yacht enamels have been replaced with their Brightside and Toplac paints. ) How do the latter do on canoes? Unless there is some problems with application or results, it seems they would be an obvious choice. Does anyone use the new poly paints? How do they compare?
In terms of application, we all have seen exquisite paint jobs that are the result of "rolling and tipping" or straight brushing, and some of the experts like Pam Wedd (see her recent and excellent series in Wooden Canoe) go to great lengths to help the rest of us achieve good results with these techniques. For me the paint job is always a crap shoot, trying to recognize and control all the variables of dust, paint, weather, star alignment, etc that affect the final finish. Why don't we hear more about spraying? Most of us do not have spray equipment available to us, but some must. Its the obvious solution to brush marks, of course. I'd be interested in hearing about the experience of anyone who has actually spray-painted canoes.
And speaking of spraying, what about automotive finishes, which must be tremendously tough and certainly can be attractive? If one had access to the equipment, is there a reason not to use these auto paints on boats?
I realize that cost is often the limiting factor in what we can do with our boats, and high tech materials and techniques may be out of reach. But
considering that the finish is the most prominent feature that most people notice about a canoe, I'd like to know about all the options. Then I guess its time to experiment.
Don in Vermont
I'll share what I come up with if it works!