How Do I Get Scratches Out of My Old Town Kayak?

It's very easy to get scratches on your kayak. Every time you take it out, you run the risk of damaging it on rocks, shells or broken glass. But there are ways to repair those imperfections.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Superficial and Deep Scratches

Things You’ll Need:

Propane blowtorch
Metal spoon
Thick gloves
Pop-rivet gun
Pop rivets
An internal patch (made of polyethylene)

Step 1

Ensure that you are working away from any flammable or explosive materials. Put on the gloves to protect your hands.

Step 2

Very carefully apply flame over the small scratch, until it disappears or lessens. Do not overheat, as this can deform the kayak. Just apply enough heat to get the job done.

Step 3

For deeper scratches, heat the scoop of the spoon with the blowtorch until it's fairly hot.

Step 4

Apply the heated end of the spoon to the crack. Hold it there for several seconds, until the scratch starts closing. This will be like "welding" the crack shut.

Repairing Cracks

Step 1

Place your patch over the crack. You may want to use a light adhesive to stick it to the kayak.

Step 2

Use the blowtorch to weld the patch over the entire area. The following steps are optional.

Step 3

If the crack is above the waterline, give additional strength to the patch by adding rivets. If the crack is below the waterline, do not attempt the following, as this could actually cause more damage. Load a rivet into your rivet gun by first unlocking the pliers on the gun and then inserting the rivet into the gun's head.

Step 4

Place the loaded rivet against the spot on the patch where you'd like to attach the rivet, and squeeze the gun's pliers together. This will shoot the rivet into the patch. Repeat this process on four corners of the patch.

Tips & Warnings

Often, using a blowtorch will change the hue of the paint job. Sometimes, this change in color can be more unsightly than the small scratch itself. Consider leaving the scratch untreated if it isn't too large.

Be careful not to apply too much heat, because you don't want deformities in your kayak.

Article Written By Kelsey Childress

Kelsey Childress runs a freelance creative business called Awen Creative that specializes in SEO Web content, social media marketing and blogging. She has been writing for online and in-print publications for over six years, and has a bachelor's degree in English literature and creative writing from Kansas State University.

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