Royalex canoe repair

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 3:02 pm

Hi!

I own an old Dagger Legend, made of Royalex, that has seen a lot of rivers and rocks... so I decided to repair it, and give it a second life.

After reading about the ABS/MEK receipe, I initiated the repairs. It's going very well, and the ABS layer is almost done.

The problem is, that when I tried to create a paste with vinyl, it simply doesn't work. It begins to flake and plastic pieces just weak, but it doesn't create a mastic, like with ABS pipes.

I wanted to spray a vinyl plastic layer over the repairs, and even on all the boat, but can't seem to find anything that could do the trick... until yesterday:

Yes, I found something that may interest some of you. It is liquid vinyl plastic paint that can even be thinned with acetone. That's what I would like to use to recreate the outer vinyl layer. I would buy a white gallon this paint, and use plastic pigments to match vinyl color.

Here is a link to get paint's description :

http://store.vernondeon.com/index.php?o ... 2&PID=7286

I would like to have your feedbacks on this idea!

milkman · Post by **milkman** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:15 pm

Sounds like a bad idea to me because of this sentence:

Please ensure that you are applying this coating on only new unpainted PVC buoys.

You're going to be applying it to ABS. There might be a problem.

I would suggest using Krylon Fusion spray paint. There's been lots written about it at this site.

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:37 pm

I will try to get more info as if it does work also on ABS, like you said, it could be a problem.

I think what they mean is to use this liquid vinyl only on pcv-like material, with no paint. As the outer layer of Royalex canoes is vinyl and not paint, I think it could be a great alternative since acetone will recreate chemical links between the original vinyl layer and the new sprayed one.

I think this paint is a different blend of MEK, Acetone, and another composite. That's why it couldn't be dissolved with only MEK.

I'll give more feedback on my researches.

Post by **sbroam** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:16 pm

That could be interesting. Note :

* I have been using Acetone + ABS to make the paste, not MEK (at least not any more). Both work fine, but MEK seems to be the nastier chemical of the two.
* Krylon Fusion (and the comparable Rustoleum product) do protect the ABS from the sun, but, the add no abrasion resistance - they both readily leave their mark on rocks...

ChrisKelly · Post by **ChrisKelly** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:39 am

Course, it is all busted up again but that is after a GC run, some Numbers, a dozen Fractions, some Daddy's and whatever else.

I wuz happy with the repair.

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:02 pm

Hi all!

I just wanted to keep you informed about my project.

I ordered the flexabar vinyl plastic paint, and I finally got it this morning. I've done two tests so far, on ABS and on PVC, and it is working very well. I dries to the touch under 30 minutes, and cures overnight.

I'm not surprised that it works also on ABS... on the manufacturer's website, I was written that it works with PVC, EVA, Polyurethane, Polyethylene and Styrofoam. While Styrofoam is only a trademark, it is made of polystyrene, just like ABS is. I don't think I'll be getting any problems.

I'll keep you in touch with it.

jnorto01 · Post by **jnorto01** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:05 pm

Looks very interesting. Please keep us all informed on how your product test works out. Looking at the picture of the can, I see this paint is either made in or distributed from a company in New Jersey.
Seems like that is were all the good chemicals come from. There should be a US source for this stuff. I'll have to do a search. Thanks for posting this up and please give an update soon. Jim

jroneil · Post by **jroneil** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:12 pm

Here is a place in New England probably get it at any coastal area
http://www.newenglandmarine.com/Lobster ... 0paint.htm

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:47 pm

Some news...

okay, I tried to pigment the white Flexabar paint to dark green without success. I didn't thought that it would be so hard to get the color from white. So next time, I will order directly from Flexabar, and will ask for the good color. I just dont know how to define the color I want ? Maybe using the pantone color matching system ?

jnorto01 · Post by **jnorto01** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:57 pm

When I looked on the site it seems the paint comes in a good but basic color selection. If you need a dark green, buy the big can of green and a smaller can of black and custom mix it. Typically most colors can be darked a shade by adding black to them. Go very conservative when adding the black. You could try a small batch and do the addition by weight if you have access to a good scale. Document your mix ratio so you can duplicate it if needed in the future. Good luck and keep us posted. Jim

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:11 pm

Thanks Jim, I bought the paint as fast I could, and didn't realize that I could simply mix different can... well, anyway it is done. Maybe next time.

I've done a little trip last week with my Legend and I think the repairs are great and there are no scratches on the paint... so I think Flexabar paint is great to replace the outer vinyl layer.

I hope this will help many people keeping their boat a lot longer.

Fine!

Now, let get dangerous!

Plascual

Plascual · Post by **Plascual** » Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:15 pm

I forgot to tell that I applied the paint with a air spray gun. I thinned the paint a bit with acetone.

Tiggy · Post by **Tiggy** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:10 am

could always do a second coat

W/color

C-Forum

Royalex canoe repair

Royalex canoe repair

I used MEK + ABS and it worked fine.