On Wednesday 21 March 2007 01:48, Mike wrote: > Don't put UV protectants on composite materials - there's no need. You > only need to put the stuff on plastic fittings and rubber hatch covers. The gelcoat on hardshell boats becomes opaque with age - 303 Aerospace would slow that process, and some kayaks are entirely made out of plastic, so those too would be good to treat. In short: Treat everything, except cotton fabric (you're supposed to use 303 Fabric Guard for that), if any! But I agree about the ropes - replace them when they have been ten years out in the sun, or when they start to look faded. A sharp tug would also be revealing .-(! Actually, spraying your boat with 'silver' paint is the best way of all, as the small aluminium flakes in the paint stops the UV dead, but then it would look even more like a seal to the sharks ... Older Kleppers were treated just like that ... Tord PS Look at Corvettes: Their bodies are plastic, but given the right care they look as new after years and years. 303 Aerospace is not an uncommon treatment among car freaks - for obvious reasons! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Tord Eriksson wrote: > On Wednesday 21 March 2007 01:48, Mike wrote: > >> Don't put UV protectants on composite materials - there's no need. You >> only need to put the stuff on plastic fittings and rubber hatch covers. > > The gelcoat on hardshell boats becomes opaque with age - 303 Aerospace > would slow that process, That's oxidation, not UV. It can be polished away with a good polish/wax available at any marine supply shop. Gelcoat (including clearcoat) _is_ UV protection. Putting UV protectant on a UV protectant is like wearing two raincoats. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Michael Daly wrote: > Tord Eriksson wrote: >> The gelcoat on hardshell boats becomes opaque with age - 303 Aerospace >> would slow that process, > > That's oxidation, not UV. It can be polished away with a good > polish/wax available at any marine supply shop. Mike's correct -- I applied 303 to the deck of my Wind Dancer 4-5 times over the past five years. And, it has not slowed the chalking of the deck of this 15-year-old fiberglass kayak. Where I have polished the deck, adjacent to some gelcoat repairs, the white chalky stuff has been removed. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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