I have a difficult time understanding wet sanding a boat,which will be subject to abrasion from beaches,gravel,paddles ,will be dinged alongside docks,other kayaks,and car carriers,and just plain life.It is not furniture,nor is it a collectors item(or shouldnt be).Boat varnishing has been done for years by sanding with fine abrasives(220-320),applying a thin coat flowed on with a good brush,waiting 2 days,sanding about half the coat off ,using a sanding pad or a jitterbug,and applying another coat.Repeat 4 to 6 times,and youll have a good durable finish.As to people who critique a finish as being not up to furniture standards,I advise them to get a life-they have too much free time.Use your kayak -it is a boat ,not a fetish. Having vented,I now feel better.
> Hi Philip

> As I have said in previous posts the longer epoxy has to cure the better,
> a minimum of seven days before overcoating with varnish. Inside seven days
> there is still amine being released. This blush will clog your paper and
> react with your varnish.

> I am not that keen on the idea of constantly using the kayak for a month.
> A week would be fine. I cannot understand people who insist on rushing the
> finishing after spending many hundreds of hours building.

> Take your time!

> Wet sand 120 grit after seven days to the point that when dry the whole
> surface is abraded. I assume at this stage you have a fair hull.

> Then wet sand 220 grit if you have a ROS that can take wet sanding great
> if not elbow grease.

> I assume you are using conventional varnish and not polyurathane. After
> each coat sand 220 grit till the last then sand 400/600/800/1200 then
> polish with automotive burnishing and finishing compound.

> How many coats? As many as you can last. I did one deck with I think 16
> coats but mostly 4 is minimum 8 is good.

> Spend the time and reap the rewards!

> All the best

> Rob