Varnish & Paint on the Wooden Kayak

Finally, time for paint and varnish on the kayak! I use @totalboat TotalProtect epoxy primer inside the bulkhead areas at each end of the boat for a thick layer of protection. The rest of the boat is varnished with Gleam gloss varnish, building up about 8-10 coats on all surfaces. The best process is what’s known as “roll and tip” where you roll out the varnish for a consistent and thin layer, and then tip off all the bubbles and drips with a brush. I don’t sand between coats because you don’t have to with this varnish as long as you don’t let it dry for too long (the actual number is on the can, but from memory it’s somewhere between 6-10 hours).

[Robert-elfn]

Watching this build from start.. and your craftsmanship is incredible.. looks awesome can’t wait to see it on the water.. thanks for sharing mate.

[jaredj]

Love to see this! About 15 years ago I was one of the first people to make stitch and glue boat building project videos on YouTube. There is very little out there so I documented the process funny looking back at those videos now how rudimentary short and low quality they were.

[TotalBoat]

Great idea to use TotalProtect in the bulkhead areas!

[frankwestphal]

Now that's a quality kayak. I like the hybrid plywood and strip approach. If you're going to make a boat, instead of just buy one, make it custom and beautiful.

[joshuaseymour]

I’ve really enjoyed seeing this build.

[andrewkoly]

Jack, I’ve never seen you before this moment and I’m commenting this because please don’t ever stop doing this. It’s something happens to your body like I had an arm amputated. If something happens that makes it impossible just grab a kid and start an internship. You are making the world better Jack. This content is what we need.

[eyesyc]

Super clean build. Thank you for sharing. I got free 17 footer with a little gash that I'll be fixing soon so this is great motivation.

[jz]

Absolutely gorgeous!! Loved watching it all come together 👌

[davidmanevich]

Awesome workmanship ive been following the build.
BEAUTIFUL BOAT

[edwardrosier]

An amazing work of art. You are a true craftsman.

[peteskipeteski]

You've done such a good job, I'd never use it outside ever though 'cause I'd feel bad about every scratch, gouge, rock scratch, etc.. I'd hang it up in a cabin and make it functional wall art.

[imasoboredlol]

I have no idea why I’m here but thank you for this series.

[kaidwyer]

Wow, this reached me fast. Glad it did!

[michaelmayer]

So cool to see the process, looks beautiful 👍 you are a very skilled craftsman sir

[xMrPaintxx]

This is sick! Going to cut through the water like a hot knife through butter

[paulheitkemper]

I've heard of roll and tip for paint, but this is a first for varnish.

[BigBoyGiraffeGraff]

Been watching a lot of your shorts on this and man great editing and filming and a super awesome process to watch I had an upper class men in highscool that did a legit like Italian canal boat like this and it was the same just awesome to watch how it’s made! Keep it going we appreciate the content!

[bigadamhilbilly]

I’d add a tether to those beautiful hatch covers, it’d be heartbreaking dropping one of those overboard!

[thelonewrangler]

My ADD would never allow me to build something this amazing

[Justin-xsyo]

Dude got ❤❤skills, 👍🏽👍🏽patience, 😍😍tools and 👏🏼👏🏼time. All I got is jealousy 😳😳