My buddy Jere Lansinger painted the carbon blades on his Lendal paddle with fluorescent green on the right, and fluorescent red on the left. To landlubbers: that's starboard and port, respectively. Now, when I see him in the distance, I can tell whether he's coming or going. And he stands out well in a crowd. Dan Harrison Afterthought: I wonder if a deranged powerboater has ever tried to motor BETWEEN the blades? 8^O *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Carl [mailto:nhdude001_at_yahoo.com] > > Just got a new carbon paddle and I love it! However, > my girlfriend also has one and, while paddling > yesterday, I noticed that I could barely pick her out > on the water at a quarter mile away. Has anyone come > up with a way to treat the black blades to improve > visibility? Tape? Paint? What colors? Your > experiences would be most welcome! Reflective tape works OK as long as there's something to reflect. I like nice bright yellow or orange blades - it really seems to make a difference in visibility. I actually managed to order my Lightning Ultralight with bright yellow pigment added to the resin(thanks Hank!!), but I think that you could do a good aftermarket modification with paint. I'd use something like a "ScotchBrite" pad or some fine steel wool to rough up the surface prior to painting. Make sure to clean the surface well to remove all particulate matter before painting (might try a tack cloth). I usually notice the motion of paddle blades long before I can see either the body of the kayaker or their boat. Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 03:20 PM 8/21/00 -0800, Seng, Dave wrote: >in visibility. I actually managed to order my Lightning Ultralight with >bright yellow pigment added to the resin(thanks Hank!!), but I think that >you could do a good aftermarket modification with paint. I'd use something A friend of mine is a signmaker, and he's covered the black blades of his Epic with yellow signmaker's vinyl. It's worked good for him for a number of years. -- Wes *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
FWIW, sort of as an experiment I painted my 4 piece Aquabound carbon blades International Orange as soon as I got the paddle. No prep, no nothing, just a can of spray paint and about 3 coats per side. That was in January, and now in August the blades look just as tacky and high vis as the day I did it.... Of course I still like my Greenland paddle the best, but it sure isn't what I'd call highly visible. Regards, Kevin *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Carl, Brian Nystrom put reflective tape on his carbon blade. It seems to work well. Jed *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave writes, "I actually managed to order my Lightning Ultralight with bright yellow pigment added to the resin(thanks Hank!!), but I think that you could do a good aftermarket modification with paint." I did. I've got a nice carbon AquaBound "Expedition" paddle, picked up at a scratch'n'dent sale at EMS. Black blades. Did what Dave suggests --- thoroughly scuff sand the blade with ScotchBrite, clean it thoroughly, then mask off the shaft and spray the blade "refrigerator white" --- any cheap hardware store brand will do --- and then hit it with two quick coats of high viz yellow or orange --- hey, even pink if it floats your boat --- spray flourescent paint. Store brand. Maybe $4 at Home Depot. Remember what Dave said about reflective tape; it works well, but only if there's a light source close behind or in front of the observer. Otherwise, it's black. Jack *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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