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Souris River Canoes
106 Reid Street, P.O. Box 1116
Atikokan, Ontario CANADA

Tel: 1-807-597-1292
Toll-free: 1-888-226-6386
Fax: (807) 597-1157
E-mail: sales@sourisriver.com

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1-888-226-6386

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Option Two: Epoxy

The other option is to mix-up some epoxy resin and apply a thin coat of resin to the scratches. You could use this option if your canoe is badly scratched. Make sure you carefully follow the instructions on the package.  Epoxy resin works best in a warm envionment, about 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. We recommend West System 105 resin, with 207 hardener. This combination gives good results, fills cracks, and requires no thinning. If you are using another epoxy, you may need to thin it with denatured alcohol or acetone. (Alcohol is effective, and safer than acetone.)

2. Prepare the surface as described in steps 2 - 4, in Option One, above. If you have deep scratches you can sand about ½ inch on either side of the scratch and on the scratch to reduce the depth of the scratch.  In effect, you want to feather from the outside of the sanded area into the middle of the scratch. You do not have to make the scratch disappear just reduce the depth so that a thin layer of epoxy resin will make it disappear.  This will create a small depression in the hull of the canoe.  You can then rub some epoxy resin on to fill that depression.
3.  Apply the epoxy as described in step 5 above. Watch for runs.
4. Remove the masking tape before the resin has set.

The finished product will look nearly new, and will have some additional UV protection.

Option One: Polyurethane

1. Choose an exterior quality polyurethane. Gloss is preferred, but semi-gloss will work as well.

2. Decide whether you want to refinish the entire hull, or just the bottom. If you choose the latter, adhere an even line of masking tape from bow to stern. Otherwise, mask the gunwales
3. Sand the area of the hull to be refinished. This can be done by hand, or with an orbital sander, using 120-220 grit sandpaper.
4. Thoroughly clean the area to be refinished, removing all sanding dustusing acetone or a similar solvent. Allow to dry completely.
5. Use a small (four-inch) 5 mm fibre roller. Avoid foam rollers, which tend to leave air bubbles. Apply and roll the varnish over the entire area. Be watchful of runs, and re-roll areas that appear to have too much varnish. A wide-bottom plastic container, such as a two pound margarine container works well for holding the polyurethane.
6. Remove the masking tape before the varnish has dried completely.

Touching up scratches on your
Souris River Canoe

You have two options to touchup your Souris River Canoe.  Remember, however, not to try this on other KEVLAR® canoes. Our canoes are built with an outer layer of fibreglass, which can be safely sanded. Other manufacturers use KEVLAR® as their outer layer, which will turn to fuzz when sanded.

First, you must decide whether to use polyurethane or epoxy. Either will give a great finish, but polyurethane is cheaper and easier to work with. Epoxy, on the other hand, is preferred where there are deep scratches, or where the fibreglass is starting to wear.

Work in a dust-free, well ventilated area. Wear a dust mask when sanding. Wear disposable gloves when applying epoxy resin, and consider wearing a mask that filters organics (carbon filter).