Neil's Completed Solace 16 XL Build and Blog
We are happy to congratulate Neil on the completion of his Solace 16 XL build, and wanted to share Neils blog post on Fast Learning on challenges he faced during the build and the final result. There is a previous post about Neils advice on what to do (and not to do) when starting your kit as well as his advice on customizing the deck to match your design. Neils blog is available through the link below:
http://fastlearning.blogspot.com/2024/07/
Neil chose to stain the sheer line panel with a teal metallic Mika Pigment from Black Diamond Pigments in epoxy. The challenge that ha faced during this process was building up sufficient layers of pigment to have the rich colour and effect of the metallics in the pigment. When working with pigment in epoxy we recommend 3 coats of epoxy with pigment over top of a base colour in epoxy. In our instructional videos on Youtube under the Timber Boatworks channel we demonstrate applying the base colour and applying the layers of pigment in epoxy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_YJUvJxqbg
https://boatcraft.com/collections/black-diamond-pigments/products/4-oz-caribbean-blue
The multi layer application is derived from the marine gel coating, staining and varnishing techniques, where many thin layers are applied for rich colours and long-lasting finishes. Applying more coats when the material is fresh and new will greatly increase its life span before having to refinish. It is common for quality canoes to go 20-40 years without any special treatment before the gel coats have to be reapplied. Just this week we had another builder who had built his Lightning 17 kit from Timber Boatworks (formerly Waters Dancing Boat Kit Company) come in to apply new varnish to his kit. The kit was built in the early 2000’s and this year (2024) is receiving its first reapplication of Interlux Flagship Varnish. The same varnish was applied in the original construction so he wanted to continue using the same product to get the same result. This original application during the build has lasted 20 years and the builder fully admitted that he did not treat the kayak in a special way, wintering it outdoors covered and paddling it as his primary kayak every year.
https://boatcraft.com/collections/paint/products/2015q
Our kits include the polyurethane marine varnish which is applied over the fiberglass cloth and pigment for long lasting finishes. As shown in the images from Neil's Solace 16 XL he has applied the varnish over the pigments to have long lasting UV stability of the resins. The varnish can be roll and tipped, which is what we recommend for a first time builder or can be thinned and sprayed with an HVLP sprayer. Thin applications and multiple layers will give the boat builder the best finish, so keep this in mind. Thick layers do not cure evenly and often leave soft uncured spots because the varnish creates a skin to cure and the bottom of a thick layer never fully dries. The easiest method for a Z-spar varnish is to roll and tip the varnish with a 3mm high density foam roller and foam brush. We have a video that demonstrates this application technique. The old school builders will suggest a bristle brush application, but this takes practice and skill to apply smooth coatings without brush marks. Not all Z-spar varnishes are self levelling and may require thinners if you want them to have more flow and reduce brush marks. With the roll and tip method you do not require any special treatment of the varnish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA7x-L1XHM8
Neil has done a top notch build and has learned a lot through the process. He has completed the Solace 16 XL and has communicated with us that he would like to send his experience of the build to Wood Boat Magazine. We are happy to see Neil involved with the building community and sharing his experience with us at Timber Boatworks so we can provide better guidance and services to all builders. Neil has begun building his second kit, which is the high performance Anuri 16 kayak.
Good luck with the build and keep up the good work.
https://www.timberboatworks.com/collections/touring/products/solace-16-xl
https://www.timberboatworks.com/collections/performance-kayaks/products/anuri-16
