Scratches on your kayak are inevitable, especially if shallow waters are your forte. No matter how hard you try not to scratch the kayak, it’ll rub against all kinds of debris underwater. So is it possible to buff out the scratches on a kayak and what’s the best way to do it?
The short answer is yes, it is possible to buff out most scratches on rotomolded kayaks. However, on composite kayaks, only shallow scratches can be buffed out.
As a kayaker, you’ll meet sharp rocks, stones, and maybe even a couple of soda cans thrown down the river. These ought to have their toll on the kayak’s body.
These little scratches can be annoying, although insignificant, so can you buff out scratches on a kayak?
Can You Buff Out Scratches on a Kayak?
Yes, you can, but it depends on the material of your kayak and how far the scratch goes into the material. Chances are, your kayak is either made of polyurethane, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.
Polyurethane kayaks are often called rotomolded, and they’re considered the low-end option of kayaks. You can easily buff out scratches on these fellows. Polyurethane shines beautifully after being buffed out, and it doesn’t say no to any type of finish.
On the other hand, fiberglass kayaks are often high-end. Surprisingly enough, they’re more prone to scratching than more affordable types. It comes with the glass composite, I guess.
You can buff out scratches on fiberglass, but only the shallow ones. If the scratch penetrates far into the materials’ layers, it’ll be hard to fix it. Otherwise, shallow scratches only need sanding and cleaning without a gel coat.
Meanwhile, carbon fiber is easy to buff out. Even clear nail polish will do to fix its scratches.
Graphite kayaks may be a bit challenging to fix because there’s little to do. Once graphite is scratched, buffing out may not fix it. You’ll likely need to clean it and leave the scratches as they are.
If you’re still choosing a kayak to buy, you may want to keep away from graphite if scratches bother you.
How to Buff Out Scratches on a Kayak
Fixing scratches on kayaks is relatively easy. It gets easier or harder according to the material of the kayak and the size of the scratch. Here’s a tried method to fix any scratches on your kayak, no matter what it’s made of.
The Supplies You’ll Need
- Medium grit sandpaper
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Razor
- Polyurethane foam
- Old pan
- Blade
- Kayak wax
Step 1: Check the Whole Kayak for Scratches
Since you have your tools ready and have enough time to fix the scratches, you might as well check the whole kayak. That way, you can fix all the scratches around the kayak’s body and have it as good as new after you’re done.
The area that’s more prone to getting scratched is the underside, so that should be the first place you check. You’ll likely find a lot of scratches there. After that, take a look at the sides and front of the kayak.
Step 2: Scrape off the Scratches’ Remnants
Now that you know how many scratches your kayak is donning, it’s time to prepare them for being buffed out. You should first get a razor and start cleaning the scratches. Chances are, many of them will be fresh, which means they’ll have curling edges waiting to be removed.
Most materials, especially polyurethane, don’t come off at once when scratched. Instead, they’ll leave curls behind.
Carefully remove these curls using your razor. Make sure not to scratch the body further; you should merely remove the thin edges curling around the scratch.
Step 3: Sand all the Scratches
The way this process goes, you sand all the scratches. Then, you clean the minor ones since they won’t need any further steps, and you start filling the deep ones.
Starting with the minor scratches will let you have the time you need later for the big ones. These are easy to fix and won’t take a few minutes, so it’s better to get them done with
Grab some sandpaper—preferably medium grit—, then start running it across the scratches in a round motion. You’ll find that the shallow scratches are disappearing with the motion. Keep going until all minor scratches are done and only the deep ones are visible.
Bear in mind that this process may be time-consuming, so make sure you don’t have something on your schedule. Plus, avoid using coarse sandpaper because it may scrape off the material more than needed. Medium grit is the best option.
Step 4: Fill the Scratches
If you’ve been sanding the kayak for quite some time, and some scratches are still refusing to disappear, it may be time to stop. If you keep sanding, you’ll be digging right through the kayak’s material.
The right thing to do is start filling the scratches. If they’re still visible, it means they’re too deep to be fixed by mere sanding. You’ll need to get polyurethane foam to cover them, and ensure it’s the same color as the kayak.
When you get the polyurethane foam, you’ll need to put it in a pan and melt it. Needless to say, you’ll need to grab a pan you’re ready to say goodbye to. It’s also worth noting that you should keep the pan on low heat.
When the foam is melted, use a blade to apply it to all the visible scratches. Apply a decent amount and keep running the blade across the scratch, evening out the surface so that it’s not thicker than the kayak’s surface.
Next, leave the polyurethane to dry on the scratches; you may need to wait for a few hours.
Step 4: Sand the Scratches Again
No matter how hard you try to even out the scratches’ surface, you won’t be able to do it using only a blade. That’s where sandpaper comes in again.
After the polyurethane has completely dried on top of the kayak, start sanding it until the whole surface is even. Use medium-grit sandpaper because coarse paper can be too hard on the fillings.
After you’re done, grab fine-grit sandpaper and run it across the kayak’s underside to get everything smooth again. Keep moving in a circular motion, covering all the areas with filled scratches.
Step 5: Apply Kayak Wax
Now that all the scratches are sanded, buffed, and filled, it’s time to apply kayak wax. The wax will get the surface of your kayak as shiny and sleek as new. When buying it, consider your kayak’s materials. Some waxes are sold for certain materials. Most of them work on plastic, though.
All you have to do is grab the wax, apply it on a rag you no longer need, and start rubbing it across the kayak. Make sure to get it on all areas you’ve sanded because they’ll be rough to the touch. When the kayak is entirely smooth, your job is done.
Step 6: Prevent Potential Scratches
Whether they’re on your kayak, car, or even phone screen, scratches are bothersome. They make your kayak look old and take down its value. Plus, as you’ve seen, the process of buffing them out isn’t what I’d call easy.
To prevent potential scratches, take extra care when loading and unloading the kayak. You’ll also want to look twice before docking on sandy surfaces and rocky beaches.
Things to Consider Before Buffing Out Scratches on a Kayak
Before attempting to fix your kayak, make sure it doesn’t have any holes. You won’t be able to repair these by yourself, and they may not even be fixable. In this case, it’s better to consult a professional.
On top of that, make sure to wear appropriate attire while working. Wear your goggles and protective gloves to avoid unfortunate incidents.
Final Word
You should be able to buff out scratches on your kayak just fine, depending on their severity. Most kayak materials should be fixable when scratched—unless you’re using an inflatable one!
Anyway, as long as you take the necessary precautions and follow my steps closely, your kayak will be fine.
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