: I just got my hands on a fiberglass kayak built in the 1960's. I have little
: to zero experience with fiberglass, so I put it to you the experts. I was
: planning to sand out the rough spots and reinforce the bow/stern keel
: areas and maybe layup a lightweight glass over the entire hull. Is it
: worth trying to repair/restore a boat of this vintage. Does glass become
: too hard and brittle when it is this old. Will new glass bond well to
: really old glass?

: Or should I just fill it with soil and turn it into a flowerbed?!?!

Jon, first question is: Does it leak?

Next question is: Are there any major cracks in it which look like there may be structural damage?

If it doesn't leak and the structural strength is still there -- which is probably the case the all you have to worry about is the appearance.

You don't need epoxy, or fiberglass or polyester resin. You need sandpaper and paint.

Considering the age the boat is most likely made of a polyester resin. If there are rough areas where scratches have gouged the surface and revealed strands of glass fibers then you can sand these and fill the deeper gouges with Bondo from the automotive parts store.

WEAR A RESPIRATOR WHEN YOU SAND FIBERGLASS! You can get a particle respirator for $15 to $30 at most hardware stores or paint shops. If the shaved pieces of glass get into your nose or lungs they can not deteriorate, and they can't get out. You are stuck with them for life, and they will have sharp, tiny little edges cutting into your lung fibers all the time. It is a nasty way to shorten your life. The disposable paper filters that cover your mouth and nose are not adequate.

You can paint the boat with an automotive primer, and that lightly and then apply a snazzy, glossy automotive finish. Lots of color choices available. or, you can go to a boat supply store (or find one online) and get DECK paints that are compatible with fiberglass. HULL paints are designed for use on boats that spend their lives in the water. Avoid these. DECK paints may say they are not designed for continuous submergence, but they are the standard for kayaks which are generally stored out of the water.

You just have to knock the gloss off of the original finish, fill the cracks, sand that smooth, and paint.

PGJ