I have a scratch in my Kevlar canoe down to the cloth. How do you repair easily?

this might help? http://www.redrockstore.com/canoerepair/touchup/varnish/index.htm

SR or Wenonah...or other?

Wenonah

Only one or many?

Just one about 4 inches long.

I've always been told to bring a bit of duct tape with me in case I damage my canoe while on it trip, it is supposed to hold well for a few days. Thankfully never had to test the theory.

I'd also be interested. I'd like to refinish the bottom of my Wenonah KevLight. Anyone with experience on this?

I've redone some Mn2's and some Quetico 17's the way the RedRock guy does. You have to be more gentle with the Wenonahs. SR puts a thin coat of fiberglass over their Kevlar that can handle the sanding better. If you would sand a Wenonah the same way, you'd be into Kevlar cloth. I would just hand spot sand the scratch and give it a coat of spar urethane. If it is a deep, nasty scratch/gouge, I would lay a small bead of West Systems epoxy in it and cover it with tape til dry and then sand it flat. Structurally this has worked well, but you will see the fix (like a scar). For a whole hull refinish, I'd do it like the Red Rock site, but just be gentle with your sanding...DONT use his 70 or 80 grit paper, go finer. Cosmetically, the Wenonahs dont look as slick as the SR's do when you are finished...IMO

Thank you for the advice cowdoc.

I use west systems epoxy for the most part. It depends on the damage. You could get a smaller kit, like the one bell makes.
The key for repair with epoxy is it has no uv protection, and a varnish finish coat with uv protection is needed. On a smaller repair this may not be a big issue though.

I agree with cowdac,be sure not to sand the kevlar.

Richwon4,
Duct tape will work for years, on a kevlar lake boat. It needs replacing a little more frequently on a whitewater craft, where rocks will scrape it off.

Cowdoc's right about the light sanding, leave the belt sander on the shelf for this one!

30 minute epoxy from the hardware store and waxpaper, works like a charm

I agree with Bumabu, for small scratchs and gouges, I use a simple resin from the hardware and a little FG cloth chopped up in it for strength. For big repairs I prefer a better epoxy, like the West Systems due to the better bonding it gives.

humm...

There is a good how-to on the Red Rock site.

Wenonah Kevlar Canoe Repair Edit: I guess I should have read all posts a little bit closer and noticed that this was already covered.