To repair scratches in a royalex canoe, you will need to sand the area down with fine-grit sandpaper. Then, apply a clear epoxy resin to the area and let it dry. Once it is dry, you can then buff out the area with a polishing compound.
What kind of repair kit do you use on a Royalex?
A 2-part epoxy putty to fill in gouges and cuts that do not go through the boat. BREAKS/CUTS/PUNCTURES: Polyethylene/Royalex repair kit (part #1331.0641). Though this kit was originally developed for repairing Discovery canoes, it works equally well on our Royalex hulls.
How can I protect my Royalex canoe from damage?
Here are some ways to protect your investment well into the future. Ask any outfitter—the number one way to extend the life of a Royalex canoe is to install impact- and abrasion-resistant plates on the bow and stern. A kit consisting of pre-cut, felt-like swatches of Kevlar cloth and epoxy resin is the typical approach.
How do you repair a damaged Royalex Hull?
Using a torch on Royalex will melt the outside skin. Kit contains a 2-part polyurethane resin system, nylon cloth, sand paper, brush, and instructions. Repairs of this nature normally require a patch both inside and outside of the hull.
How do you fix dents and scratches on Royalex?
Repair of dents and deep scratches involves filling with Royalex® repair resin. Repair resin is a puttylike 2-part resin that cures to a hard finish. Some sanding will be required as well. Repairing tears or cracks requires multiple layers of Kevlar® cloth laid in and covered by the repair resin.
What is a gelcoat repair kit?
How to get dents out of boat hull?
How to polarize a boat?
Where to contact Jerry Stelmok?
Can Old Town repair kayaks?
Do you need to polarize polyethylene?
See 3 more
About this website
Why is Royalex discontinued?
In 2013, plastics company PolyOne, of Avon Lake, Ohio purchased Spartech, and decided to shut down Royalex production due to its low volume.
How long do Royalex canoes last?
My opinion is, if you want a Royalex canoe you can depend on when banging around in rapids, you should get a new one, and after maybe 15 years, think about whether you're paddling stuff so hard that you should replace the boat.
How do you take care of a Royalex canoe?
Saturate a soft cloth with alcohol and wipe using fairly long even strokes. Turn the cloth often so as not to use the same area over and over. The alcohol will evaporate quickly so you will not have to wipe dry. If you still have some sticky areas, just wipe over again.
What has replaced Royalex?
The three-year-long saga has been one of the industry's most exciting news stories, but now the wait is finally over with the arrival of T‑Formex. Esquif owner, Jacques Chassé, has finally produced sheets of the long-awaited material.
Can Royalex be repaired?
CAN IT BE REPAIRED? Unless it's big the hole can be fixed pretty easily by taping a piece of cardboard with a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap on the outside of the hull and then building up the gap with layers of fiberglass cloth and Royalex® resin.
Is Royalex a good canoe?
Fiberglass and Kevlar canoes were stiffer, lighter and more efficient, but when it came to toughness, nothing compared to Royalex. That toughness made Royalex THE choice for whitewater canoes, but also made it a favorite among recreational paddlers.
Does Royalex get brittle?
It will get brittle over time. Royalex boats with wood gunwales tend to develop cracks from the screw holes, as wood and Royalex expand and contract at different rates. Rapid changes in temperature are particularly problematic.
How much does a Royalex canoe weight?
Polyethylene or plastic canoes of the same length weigh 80 lbs – 90 lbs, while Whitewater canoes made of tough T-Formex or Royalex weigh about 65 lbs for a popular 16-foot model.
What paint can I use on Royalex?
A spray can will work. Epoxy paint is fine but costs a lot. I have used latex house paint with good success. The problem with Royalex is going to be adhesion.
Will a Royalex canoe sink?
The canoe would also have to have no flotation chambers at all. Pretty well every canoe made with materials other than wood, will be made at a factory for commercial sale, and will include flotation chambers, so it will not sink (ie. aluminum, fiberglass, kevlar, carbon, plastic, Royalex, T-Formex, Fuff-Stuff, etc.)
When did Old Town make Royalex canoes?
In 1972, Old Town Canoe started thermoforming Royalex, a composite ABS sheet from the former Uniroyal Plastics Co. In the late 1970s the company began rotomolding kayaks as part of a research and development effort.
Did Old Town make Royalex canoes?
The first Royalex canoe was reportedly built by Maine's Thompson Boat Company in 1964. Old Town Canoe later popularized it in its 16-foot Chipewyan in 1972, with Mad River Canoe following on its heels with the Explorer.
Does Royalex get brittle?
It will get brittle over time. Royalex boats with wood gunwales tend to develop cracks from the screw holes, as wood and Royalex expand and contract at different rates. Rapid changes in temperature are particularly problematic.
Can you wax a Royalex canoe?
To beautify, we suggest a vinyl protectant product such as Armor All®, 303 Products or Pledge. These are safe for use on any of our Polyethylene, Superlinear, Royalex® and Fiberglass canoes or kayaks. We do not recommend waxing your hull with a paste wax, such as most car waxes.
How long should a canoe last?
So, how long should a canoe last? A Canoe will usually last for about 10-15 years before it needs major repairs or to be replaced. If you store your canoe properly and fix problems as they arise due to regular wear and tear, your canoe can last throughout your child's childhood and even into adulthood.
How tough is Royalex?
Royalex, a composite sheet material made up of ABS, ABS foam and crosslinked vinyl layers, is ultra tough, abrasion resistant, lighter and more rigid than polyethylene, and has amazing structural memory. A Royalex canoe can be wrapped around a rock and bounce back into shape.
How Can I Minimize The Chances For Cold Cracks?
Royalex is susceptible to shrinkage when exposed to freezing temperatures. A sheering fracture (cold cracking) is a potential hazard if you live in...
If I Store My Boat Outdoors, Do I Need to Worry About UV Damage?
Not if the vinyl skin is intact. Over time there will occur some color fading but this can be prevented by periodic treatments of a UV protectant s...
Is Temperature A Threat to Royalex Canoes?
Yes and no. Very extreme heat can deform the canoe but the temperatures must be very high and very sustained. This is usually not a problem unless...
Isn't Royalex Indestructible? Why Would It Need A Repair?
ABS Royalex® is an incredibly durable material but it is not indestructible. Back when Royalex® started to show up in canoes, it was nothing short...
Is Repairing Royalex Difficult?
Not particularly. Royalex® repair often consists of restoring damage caused by an accumulation of wear and tear and this type of repair is not diff...
I've Got Some Dents and Creases on The Outside of My Hull. Do I Need to Repair these?
Probably not, especially if the outer skin is not cut or missing. Flip your boat over and look inside the hull. If you don't see a corresponding cr...
I've Punched A Hole in My Boat. Can It Be repaired?
Unless it's big the hole can be fixed pretty easily by taping a piece of cardboard with a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap on the outside of the...
Can I Get A Deformed Canoe Back Into shape?
You may need to build a "jig" to reshape the canoe to its original form. This can be done with duct tape, cardboard, and wood as well as any other...
I Installed Some Whitewater Outfitting in My Boat, and Later Noticed That The Hull Is Kind of Spongy Under The Knee Pads. What's Up?
Probably what's happened is due to the adhesive or the amount of adhesive you used. Contact cement in particular emits styrene as it cures and if t...
Repairing a Plastic Canoe (Old Town Tripper) » Ryan Hobbies
The repair kit. I was able to find a handy PDF online about repairing this type of canoe. It discussed different types of repairs using a torch and plastic filler rod. OK… that’s one option.
Repairing a Fiberglass Canoe : 7 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables
Repairing a Fiberglass Canoe: At the end of May last year I was online looking for jobs and wondering what I was going to do with my summer. Just before preparing to head to bed I decided to log into Facebook. Here in our little city we have a Buy and Sell Facebook page for fo…
What is the best material for Royalex?
The best Royalex patching material is ABS! ABS sheets can be found at most plastics supply distributors. I recommend 1/16” sheet for all outside patches. (Anything thicker tends to catch on rocks and water drag on it can make a noticeable difference in the hull’s performance.) Thicker ABS can be used on any inside patches if strength is needed. You will find that there is a considerable variety in the kinds of ABS available. When given a choice select by: Color: Black is best. It resists UV better than any other color.
What to do if epoxy is cracked?
Inside Patch: If the hull is cracked all the way through to the inside, an inside patch is required to keep your epoxy from running out. It should be applied as the first step. Among other things, this will define the hull shape at the repair site so proceed carefully. See Applying Patches for details.
Why are holes melted in epoxy?
Holes, (orange circles), are melted at the edges of the delaminated area, as shown by the dashed line, to encourage complete distribution of the epoxy resin by providing both injection points and holes for the displaced air to escape through.
Is Royalex a composite?
Royalex is what is known as a composite material. It is actually three different materials which when combined in a “sandwich” of five layers, has properties superior to any of them alone.
Can you sand off vinyl?
Sanding Off the Vinyl: It is necessary to sand off the vinyl outer layer around the damage. First, you must be able to see the extent of the damage to the ABS - much of which may be hidden by the vinyl. Second, the vinyl isn ’t bonded to the ABS very well so you will need to
What is Royalex repair?
Royalex® repair often consists of restoring damage caused by an accumulation of wear and tear and this type of repair is not difficult or complex. It does get more challenging if you're intent on repairing a boat that has been wrapped or severely distorted to the point where the hull has torn.
What is a cold crack on a Royalex canoe?
Paddlers living in colder regions or in areas subject to rapid temperature fluctuations have learned that Royalex® canoes can be subject to what are called cold cracks. Cold cracks occurred when temperatures reached the teens or lower and/or there was a rapid temperature swing of 20-30 degrees in a few hours.
How to restore UV protection on a canoe?
While the canoe is still structurally intact, it is wise to restore that layer of UV protection to your hull. If the ABS has not been too deeply scratched or gouged a simple, albeit temporary, solution is to simply paint over the exposed layers. Most canoe manufacturer's provide color matched ABS Touchup paint You can expect to have to paint again in the future as the paint is abraded away. A more permanent option to consider if the wear is concentrated at the ends of the boat and the underlying layers are in good shape is to install a skid plate kit.
How to repair a gunwale?
Repair consists of removing the gunwale, aligning the hull parts and reinforcing the interior hull with Royalex® repair resin and cloth. Cosmetic repair of the hull exterior is accomplished by slightly widening the crack and filling with repair resin.
What is the best resin for repairing dents?
Repair of dents and deep scratches involves filling with Royalex® repair resin. Repair resin is a puttylike 2-part resin that cures to a hard finish. Some sanding will be required as well. Repairing tears or cracks requires multiple layers of Kevlar® cloth laid in and covered by the repair resin. Fiberglass cloth can also be used but the inherent flexibility of Kevlar® better matches that of Royalex®. Structural repair is generally done on the interior of the hull.
How many cracks can you see in a paddling pole?
In severe cases, one could encounter a series of 6 to 8 or more cracks originating at a succession of attachment points.
What is the outer layer of Royalex?
The outer (and inner) layers of a Royalex® hull is vinyl. There're there to provide UV protection for the underlying ABS plastic layers that in turn surround the foam core. The ABS layers are quite susceptible to UV degradation. The vinyl layers block that potential damage.
How to extend the life of a Royalex canoe?
Ask any outfitter—the number one way to extend the life of a Royalex canoe is to install impact- and abrasion-resistant plates on the bow and stern. A kit consisting of pre-cut, felt-like swatches of Kevlar cloth and epoxy resin is the typical approach. In short, the procedure is this: Use masking tape to center the plates on the stems of the canoe; rough up the areas with sandpaper; saturate the Kevlar felts with epoxy; and apply the skid plates to the hull. It’s an easy job for anyone familiar with using epoxy resin, and requires minimal tools. On the downside, Kevlar skid plates add about five pounds to the weight of the canoe and they make a finger-nails-on-chalkboard-type sound upon impacting rocks. Watch a video on how it’s done.
What is Royalex canoe?
For over four decades, thermo-formed Royalex was the go-to material river-tripping and expedition canoes for its supreme durability and its ability to flex and bounce back from serious impacts. Lately, hope arose with Quebec-based manufacturer Esquif announcement of a possible Royalex successor. But if you’re lucky enough to own a Royalex canoe, ...
What color is the hull of a Royalex canoe?
Repair Abrasion, Cuts and Gouges: When the hull of your Royalex canoe is abraded or cut deep enough to reveal its inner layers (usually white or green-colored plastic), it’s time to touch it up.
How much weight does a Kevlar skid plate add to a canoe?
It’s an easy job for anyone familiar with using epoxy resin, and requires minimal tools. On the downside, Kevlar skid plates add about five pounds to the weight of the canoe and they make a finger-nails-on-chalkboard-type sound upon impacting rocks. Watch a video on how it’s done.
How to bond ABS to canoe?
Before touching up the color, cuts and gouges must first be filled with epoxy putty designed to bond with ABS—call the canoe manufacturer or pick up a tube of PlasticWeldfrom JB Weld. Clean the area with acetone, follow the directions to mix and apply the putty, sand and paint.
How to make a canoe shine?
A UV-resistant spray like 303 Protectantwill make your canoe shine. Spray it on at least once per season to shield the hull from fading due to sunlight exposure, and to hide scratches and keep it more supple.
How to protect a canoe from sun damage?
Prevent Sun Damage: A UV-resistant spray like 303 Protectant will make your canoe shine. Spray it on at least once per season to shield the hull from fading due to sunlight exposure, and to hide scratches and keep it more supple.
What is a gelcoat repair kit?
DEEP GOUGES: A gelcoat repair kit can be found online from various vendors that contains colored gelcoat, hardener, sandpaper, polishing compound, and instructions. Use to fill in gouges, chips, breaks in the gelcoat.
How to get dents out of boat hull?
CAUTION: Do not over-heat. The surface should not become too hot to touch. Apply heat by alternating the heat source inside and outside. This will slowly warm the area. Pressure should be applied from inside to aid the material in returning to its shape. With severe dents exact original shape may not be obtainable.
How to polarize a boat?
To polarize you will need a hand-held propane torch. The torch will have a flame about 3 inches long. Inside will be a smaller, brighter blue flame. This smaller flame must contact the hull in the area to be bonded. Simply wave the flame across the hull like you were painting it with a small brush.
Where to contact Jerry Stelmok?
FOR ALL REPAIR NEEDS: Contact Jerry Stelmok at Island Falls Canoe (207) 564-7612.
Can Old Town repair kayaks?
Though our Canoes and Kayaks are built to withstand years of use and abuse, mishaps can occur and your boat may at some point become damaged and need repair. In the event of a problem, we recommend you contact your local Old Town dealer for the appropriate repair kit or parts. Many of these same dealers may be able to repair the boat for you or give you assistance in getting started in the right direction. A listing of additional repair shops is also available by writing or calling the factory. Following is a basic overview of the recommended repair options available for Old Town products.
Do you need to polarize polyethylene?
All polyethylene hulls need to be polarized prior to any attempted repair or bonding. No material will permanently bond to polyethylene as it is before polarizing. You must first be sure the area is roughened with sand paper and clean. To polarize you will need a hand-held propane torch.
