: As I understand things, Pine can be blotchy. I have sanded very
: well and the kayak I made has a blotchy hull but I also made
: some shelves that I used draino and then shellac on and the
: color is nice and consistent. My canoe is what I am working on
: and I am wondering if I can even that color out. It sounds like
: I need to stay away from the shellac on the wood but maybe
: pulling the whole thing out into the nice warm sun for a few
: days may even it out. I am interested in seeing what happens to
: the pine that is UV protected in my kayak over the next couple
: of years.
: Does anybody have any more to add about the darkening of pine under
: UV protected epoxy?

: I have also considered using cabinet scrapers as a final process
: prior to epoxy. I have been told the scraper leaves a better
: surface due to the cutting of fibers by a sharp tool. However I
: am worried about getting a nice even scrape along a curved
: surface. If the epoxy darkens differently due to scraping or
: sanding a unscraped but sanded surface may stick out like a sore
: thumb.

: Thanks guys, No shellac for this job until I can do a test panel.
: Even as it is I think this is going to be a nice canoe with
: mahogany and curly maple surrounded by the pine on top and
: filling in most of the hull.

Doesn't have to have a furniture finish before the epoxy/glass, slightly rougher is actually better as you'll get a better bond with the epoxy. The smoothness comes later.

Bill H.