: Justed checked my mail and i got an answer from Tony Nuskin at
: premapro and i think it might be of interest to the SOF folks.

: Based on your email I am going to make a couple of assumptions.
: You already have some flavor of Epi varnish applied to your SOF
: boat.
: You are probably using one of the mid weight poly fabrics (6 – 8
: oz).

: Coelan has been applied on several occasions directly over exiting
: varnish. However this is usually on a section of wood (mast,
: transom, railing). I’m not aware of any first hand data
: regarding Coelan over varnish on a fabric surface. That does not
: mean someone somewhere has not tried it.
: The criteria is for the varnish to be “perfect” in the
: strictest definition of the word. Any cracks, crazing or lifting
: of the in place varnish will greatly compromise the life of the
: Coelan overcoat. In other words as the varnish cracks and lifts
: so will the Coelan overcoat.
: Many boat or yacht owners have contributed incredibly hours into
: the prep and varnishing of their project and I can appreciate
: there reluctance to remove all of that hard work. I can also
: predict that the removal of any varnish or paint from a fabric
: weave will be darn near impossible. So, therein we have a
: dilemma.

: Here is what I recommend you do and again assuming the existing
: varnish on you SOF project is in tip top condition, I would
: suggest you get a small tin of the Coelan transparent gloss
: coating (375ml) and find a suitable test surface area or section
: of the kayak. Clean/wash the existing fabric well (no solvents)
: and then apply a few coats of Coelan. See how it stands up and
: if the results meet your needs over some reasonable time period.
: If the test case works out then you can proceed to apply Coelan
: (probably 3 or 4 layers) over the remaining surfaces.

: In an ideal world both Coelan and Premapro always advocate applying
: Coelan over a well prepared (primed if necessary) surface, free
: from existing paint, varnish, grease, dirt etc….) We would
: also suggest the use of one of the Coelan Flex primers as this
: component has the UV agents that help protect the
: substrate/fabric from solar ray damage. I do know that some of
: the SOF users have chosen to skip this step but that is their
: decision and time will tell if it is reasonable.

: BTW: It should also be kept in mind that despite best efforts on
: the part of the chemical engineers at the Coelan factory in
: Germany that it is impossible to take into consideration the
: product and chemical compatibilities with other manufacturers
: formulations and various end users application decisions.

: After an application of one of the Flex primers (the difference
: being if you are going to color or pigment the Coelan coating or
: not) then apply your first Coelan coating layer working it well
: into the fabric. When that layer dries to touch you can then
: continue to apply the necessary additional layers. We suggest
: five in total ( 1.0 mm combined thickness) but again I do know
: some of the SOF community has decided that three is sufficient.
: Here again, time will tell.

: Our objective and in keeping with Coelan factory instructions is to
: ensure the user receives the very longest applied life of the
: coating and that is why we always defer to factory user
: instructions. (Downloadable from our web site) Coelan has
: adhesive like properties and the bond between substrate and
: first coating layer is a mechanical one as well as a chemical
: one and the primer of choice helps to facilitate this. The same
: mechanical bond, via the proprietary Coelan formulation, is also
: true from one layer to the next. The end result is a long life,
: UV resistant, flexible and one way water vapor permeable
: coating.
: Despite misleading advertising to the contrary, Coelan is the only
: coating available that provides all of these characteristics.

: From my end as a user and long time boater I would much rather be
: sailing than varnishing and that in part is what led me to begin
: importing the Coelan products several years ago. Our higher
: volume users (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for one) agree with
: this concept completely. The time and labor (and money) saved in
: routine touch up and maintenance of existing varnished surfaces
: is why some of their vessels made the switch to Coelan a few
: years ago. (Pictures available)

: I wish I could give you more first hand experience based data with
: respect to SOF fabric and Coelan applications. I have used it on
: several high quality neoprene/hypalon based inflatable dinghies
: (Avon, Achilles) with great success. And I do occasionally
: receive positive comments from some in the SOF community.
: Perhaps I should take the initiative and email a request for
: some user feedback on the SOF web site blogs. Being a plastic
: kayaker, I’m a little hesitant to step into the craftsmanship
: and dedication that the qajac community represents, nor do I
: wish to be viewed as trying to sell more product. However
: detailed, specific, feedback is important to us.

: I hope that the above information is of use to you and certainly if
: you have any additional questions or comment please do send me a
: direct email and I will be happy to reply. My philosophy has
: always been to work in honest partnership with our clients and
: ensure we both enjoy the best chances of success with our
: specific projects.

: Now that's what i call a good and decent response, many a customer
: services could learn from this, especially epifanes holland as
: they've just about ignored my questions regarding sof.

Btw, one thing not mentioned (or I missed it) is to make sure the varnish is completely cured first prior to adding this stuff. Varnish has a fairly large amount of thinners etc. and it takes awile for the surface to completely cure. They will have a negative effect to any added layers if not allowed to cure.

Bill H.