Plastic Kayak Repair / Restore

[@johnfuniciello]

You did a great job with this video. I’m looking forward to restoring my grandfathers Old Town Discovery canoe using this method. I come from the automotive paint polishing world, so I figured this could be done, but no one made a video of it other than you. Thanks!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks John!

[@BrandenAllen]

I understood, Skip molded in graphic and serial number. You're not getting scratchs out or removing material, change pads somewhat often. Grits are 320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000, 3000, buffing wheel, 303. Thank you very much for putting this together.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Branden!!

[@alancolchester-hall4806]

I’m brand new to kayaking. And like you , I want to shine my , 2nd hand kayak. I’d like to get it shiny. Thanks for your video. Massive help. And boosted my confidence. 👍👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Alan!!

[@peterryan8452]

Thank you, Peter. I did buy all the sanding equipment you use in this video

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on! Let me know how it goes!

[@Tripsurfer]

River king rips class five blindfolded no paddle solo!!!! Such a legend!!!!! And thanks for the advice just cleaned up my old wavesport Z

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! Right on LA! It can be fun to clean up the old ones!

[@dangosner]

I just bought a dingy boat, and who’s video should be the first one to come up when I search for how to make it pretty! Thanks, Pete!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Dan!!! Thanks!

[@frankmartinez7009]

Great tutorial. Believe it or not I was going to spray paint it with paint it’s supposed to adhere to plastic, but this is so much better.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks! The paint never lasts long at all and then looks really ugly. Keep me posted on how this works out for you!

[@ovrobinson7780]

That looks genuinely awesome, mate. I'll be doing this on my old P&H Capella. 👍🏼

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks! let me know how it goes!

[@DennyT71]

Good job my friend. I needed you about 10 yrs ago. Looks nice buddy.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I hear ya Denny! LOL. Thanks!

[@jessewittry2391]

“Don’t be stupid “ 😂👏👏👏 You made my day👍Nicely done. Shocked at your collection 😮 Well done sir.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Jesse!

[@woofna1948]

Wow! You're obviously a very twisted and sicko kayak junkie! Can't thank you enough for posting this superb video. What a concept! I've asked around over the years about how to spiff up a plastic kayak and the best I've heard is soap and water plus 303 - which, I gotta say, doesn't exactly get the job done. As soon as I can get my paws on some higher grit sanding pads, the orbital and I are going to town on the underside of my dingy Diesel 80 whitewater boat - just for practice. Then it's on to my wife's Current Designs Sirocco. I'll post some before and after pix. You rock!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Moulton!

[@kevinkestler4375]

Thanks for this video! The step by step work and tips plys 303 were helpful. Looks great!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Kevin!

[@1320trail]

Great video! I've seen similar results from sanding then using a heat gun to bring back the luster.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on Red Flame!

[@pop4725]

Nice ! Great explanation and super results. My beater Nomad is getting this treatment. Thx Pete !

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Pop!

[@norm_badwolf_9119]

“Don’t be stupid”… great advise for everyone it seems these days lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thats for sure!!!

[@jehu-kayak]

“Don’t sand the molded in graphic. That would be stupid; don’t be stupid!” 😂😂😂

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he!!!

[@ragalyisp]

I'm not too experienced with kayaks, but as I'm looking at restoration of an old town dirigo I figured not to touch that. It's common sense... more confused about dealing with the broken off attachments. Basically left with rivets and little chunks of plastic. I think I'll drill out the rivets, but as far as sealing the holes... (maybe 3/8")

[@ragalyisp]

@@RiverKingsKayak what do you think is my best bet?

[@outdoorsdelmarva5691]

Thank you! for the info....worked perfect on my Perception 13

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on!!

[@pappycamper7327]

So... my takeaway is that if I'm not an O-C with a great YT channel, this isn't something I need to do, right? ;-) Good stuff, Pete! For really bad bottom gouges (where a little plastic ridge gets pushed out) I like cabinet scrapers for safely removing that ridge. Razor blades/utility blades dragged perpendicular to the hull surface also work, but not as well. I'd enjoy you leading us through welding plastic rod back into some deep gouges.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Ha ha! It was ugly Pappy!! My buddy Jacob is an awesome boat welder...I need to film him doing a repair...

[@crazygrandma2972]

Loved the video, I got alot of good tips I plan on using. Thanks Pete

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Crazy Grandma!! Love the name BTW!!

[@RobBrown2288]

Nice! Harbor Freight is great source for sanding pads too

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Good info...I will see what they have!

[@CTRiverNomad]

I'll have to try that on my oldest boat; it's kind of nasty looking after 15 years. I have some synthetic steel wool pads for my sander, which would conform to curvy surfaces better than sanding disks, so I may start with a sanding disk to remove any high spots and then move to the synthetic steel wool pads after that.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Greg! Let me know how it turns out!

[@CoRaX-io]

Awesome Vid , Where would be the best time to use Kayak restoration spray with the uv protectant in this process !?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Corax! After you are all done with the reconditioning. just wipe on some 303.

[@halieorr22]

Looks fantastic!!!! You’re my kind of crazy!!!! 😜 💛 🖤 excellent instructions!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Halie!

[@kaiheltola921]

Great! I shall do this before and after every paddling!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! Right on!

[@jacobhambright2941]

Straight to the point, good stuff.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks J-Bone! How's the hat?

[@jacobhambright2941]

Perfect fit, River Kings MERCH 🤟

[@tryndeyoung8865]

Great video, thanks for posting

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Tryn!

[@robertapreston4200]

Looks great, mate

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Robert!

[@tominnenPL]

I always wondering how to deal worn kayak... Now I know! Cause I'm polish so I approved your job 🤝🏻🍻🇺🇸🇵🇱

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on tominnenPL!

[@iskander6480]

Good advice , im Polish and i was worry polished but ill try ,THX

[@canajian]

Nice job pete! 👋😎👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks canajian!

[@kayakcroatia]

Just what i was looking for. I also have yellow ugly kayak xF

[@RiverKingsKayak]

right on Vlats!

[@kayakcroatia]

@@RiverKingsKayak i found an easy way to clean those black stains... industrial "sandy" soap. it has small grains mixed with soap and it cleans everything. maybe try it. its called paste for hand cleaning ( we have "IDEAL" brand which i used.... it cleans 90% of stains)

[@seehongkongsea]

Good video! I wash my kayak with water car wax and dry it with wax and 303 it.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on Gary!

[@Beyondthebackyard-au]

Hey mate, great video. Have you tried this method on a faded boat to see if it restores the colour in the plastic?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I have not but others have and they liked the results...I guess it will depend on the depth of the sun damage...Thanks!!

[@jasonjohnson3164]

So Pete, where did you get those stands you had that yak on? I recently got a pair off of Amazon but they're like 16 inches tall lol

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Those were given to me a few years back. here is a link. amzn.to/3ncN6jJ

[@jasonjohnson3164]

@@RiverKingsKayak ok thanks Pete!

[@GuitarGemme]

I have real good product that can be done super simple. I was an independent rep for a very very good safe product. . save you lots of work...and your viewers will love you.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

what is the product?

[@mortdiver]

Looks awesome. Great work and thanks for sharing. Question, what's 303?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

A plastics protectant...in the same vein as armor all.

[@mortdiver]

@@RiverKingsKayak Awesome thank you. I just picked up my first kayak the other day. I give a coat for sure.

[@waynemiller6945]

Hey! You didn't say, maybe the 2nd, most important thing. Not THE Most Important, but at least 2nd or 3rd.... Stickers stick WAY Better to a shiny smooth surface than rough dull one. Everybody knows a well stuck stucker (well sticked sticker?) instantly improve the performance of any kayak.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

You are right about that!!! Thats got to be #1 on the list!!

[@waynemiller6945]

@@RiverKingsKayak Didn't want to be so presumptuous & say #1, but yeah!

[@pimpinrafa]

What kind of buffer wheel did you use. No compound needed?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Just a wool wheel from O'Reily's Auto Parts, no compound

[@davethornton9556]

Pete, setting it out in the light instead of the shadows would have helped us to see better what you were trying to show.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I thought that also...until I tried it. The boat is so bright in the sun that it washed the shot out and was actually harder to see any detail.

[@davethornton9556]

@@RiverKingsKayak thanks for the reply, was not trying to judge only trying to help. Nice job, well done !!!

[@Fishaholicboy]

From a ripe banana to a fresh one 😬 big difference!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thats what Im talking about!!

[@KayakingLife]

Do you think a cross-link plastic Jackson would work this well? I want to do it to mine, just don’t want to find out it won’t work.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I would think so...you could always try on the inside of the kayak for a test...

[@mountainsnmoore256]

Okay...so what would be good for Prijons? Mine had set inside of a boathouse for years before I got it and just has that faded & unkempt look,

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Not sure...but I may try this...

[@OkiCSM]

I just finished up with the 3000 grit and the buffer wheel I'm using is not getting the same results as the one you used. Can you post a link of where I can get that same buffer wheel? Thanks!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

something like this will do... amzn.to/3vTmhFS

[@jarljohanssen8965]

What sea kayak model is that in your garage? Yellow, second one down.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

My beloved Prijon Yukon Expedition kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoe7Z2ehhb-ofqc

[@DownstreamV]

cool video, thanks for posting!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks brother!

[@brodykurtz4983]

I have a 2005 P&H Capella RM, I recently bought used & it's in great shape... other than the fact the original red color is faded to pink, plus sun bleaching and weathering even caused spotting discoloration on the top deck. These kayaks do have a rougher finish to them and are made of a triple layer Constuction. Would you expect the methods used in this video to work in my situation? Anything you would avoid, or recommend doing differently? Ps, I found this video extremally helpful & you should be sponsored by that kayak stand company because I will also be buying a pair of those.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

thanks Brody! Sun damage can be surface as long as it hasn't become brittle and cracked. I have heard of folks sanding off the faded top layer to get down to the color again. I have not personally done this myself so I can only imagine how that would work. If you go for it, keep me posted on the progress!

[@michaellebaron594]

I have an old Necky that's going to get this treatment. What buffing compound do you use?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I did not use any compound. all dry. When I was finished, I used 303 which is a plastic treatment akin to armor all...

[@DennyT71]

Do you 303 them at the end of each year Pete?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

for the most part, yes. Sometimes I forget. I focus more on the touring boats for the 303.

[@ber5599]

Great video, I have a lot of old kayaks never really cared how they look but after seeing this I won't mind giving it a go. How do you clean the decals ?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I just skip them and pretend they are clean! LOL. No good way to do that without damaging/removing them.

[@iowamatt2519]

Can I bring my trucks over to Pete's Detailing Service? They could use a good buff

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he!

[@Chompchompyerded]

Scratches add character and are the best evidence that the boat has been in the wars. I've often thought that I should take a brand new boat and drag it down a gravel road a little way before I take it out so that people don't think I only paddle on ponds and get in from a dock. Looks really great though! When are you coming over to do mine? You can start with my sister's 1986 Prijon Topolino to test it out. She's dead so she won't mind. Do you think this would work on a fiberglass boat? If so, maybe I should do my ancient Phoenix touring boat.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on MammaDuck!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Awesome! I’m going to try this ✌️

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Right on brother! let me know how it goes!!

[@ElliottLaw]

Looks great!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks EL!

[@PALSRide]

I always wondered about sanding a boat now I know 😉 also good video

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Matt!!

[@dannyroberts5056]

Next time my wife says I have to many kayaks I'm showing her this video. She's always asking why I need so many boats. I tell her different types of water , and I have a lot of friends. 😁

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!! just dont tell my wife!! LOL

[@dannyroberts5056]

My lips are sealed.

[@joewidner8308]

I know when I sanded a darker color kayak that it gets a white like haze after sanding it? Not worry about it? (sanded at 220 grit)

[@RiverKingsKayak]

That happened as well with the yellow, the super high grit papers and the buffing is what brings it back to shiny...

[@SmithAndWessonInc]

@@RiverKingsKayak I went all the way up to 5000 grit, there are some areas that still have a whitish haze to them, even after buffing. Any other ideas? I can send pictures if that would help...

[@leemp337]

how many hours did you put into the entire job?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Including filming the process, maybe 1 or 2?

[@weekendwithbevoblog2171]

Pete, great video and impressive result. Does this work for mold/mildew?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Yes for sure! You might only need the buffer wheel for that...thanks wwbb!

[@adventureseaker8985]

What's the name of the smallest kayaks you have in the background

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I think you are thinking of the playboats...they are for riding waves and holes and doing flips and other tricks...

[@Pete_R63]

Yow! How many kayaks are in that building?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL! it fluctuates, at the moment about 30

[@donhammer186]

I've been told that Simple Green works great to clean polyethylene. What's your take on that?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Hey Don! I have not tried that one yet...

[@jsfeinsmith]

Yeah, Simple Green is my go to, using a medium width push broom to do the scrubbing. Works great...about as well as a pressure wash. I keep my boats outside, and always do this at the beginning of season. Definitely going to have to do the sanding on my yellow boat though!

[@OG_Hundo]

Would there have been any benefit to wet sanding it once you got to 1500 grit? Did you use any kind of buffing compound or just a dry buffing wheel?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Maybe, but I was happy enough with the results...just trying to take the dingy off. I havent done much wet sanding really.

[@visualfxstudios]

Thanks for this!!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks vfxs!

[@peterryan8452]

i’m looking to restore the surface of a 2004 necky jive kayak that has scratches almost everywhere, but it’s still structurally sound. I’ve seen other videos where people use propane torches or heat guns just to smooth out the scratches. based on your insistence on not applying heat, I surmise that you don’t approve of these methods for plastic kayaks. Can you explain why?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Heat can weaken the plastic if done wrong. It would be pretty easy to go from trying to make a kayak more visually pleasing to structurally weak and thus dangerous. Im sure it can be done to get the fuzzies off, just be careful.

[@Drivin_Sideways]

Did you wet sand on 2k and 3k grit?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

No I only dry sanded. Do you recommend the wet sand at those grits?

[@Drivin_Sideways]

@RiverKingsKayak that's just what the sandpaper package says, but I'll do whatever you did to get the same results as you! Thank you for responding!

[@chriskarow4550]

Just a little bit of rubbing compound and that polishing wheel

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I may try that as well...but the dry pad works well too...

[@Manuel_Z_Kayaks]

YOU'RE SPENDING MORE TIME RECORDING YOURSELF THAN ACTUALLY REPAIRING THE KAYAK... I guess you like watching your own videos. Cool concept... I just use a heat gun and a heavy rubber roller to restore the surface and it actually smoothes out a lot of the scratches. 👍

[@RiverKingsKayak]

IT IS IN FACT YOU THAT IS WATCHING THIS VIDEO...lol. I guess you have never filmed something before. It can take some time. Thanks!

[@user-wz4ei2iu6w]

Well done Pete! Weird...what???

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks E!

[@user-wz4ei2iu6w]

@@RiverKingsKayak I graduated from physical therapy (had shoulder surgery 6/30/21) just before Christmas. I am in training Pete! I hope to connect with you awesome folks on the water down south this summer.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@user-wz4ei2iu6w let's go!

[@shaneoakley8757]

Such a great video Pete! I have restored a whole bunch of Craigslist boats. It’s fun to bring them back to life! I saw a video a while back of a guy using a torch to bring a plastic kayak back to a shine. I’ve used that technique to fix small areas but it makes me nervous! What is that long red fast looking rocket ship in the floor???

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Shane! That was Austin's prijon yukon tour...I was storing it for him. I used it to win the kibler race last summer... kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3molZSqZsdpns0

[@halligan1201]

Is the kayak in your video composite or polyethylene?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

plastic

[@cheskybaba4864]

Yes, only crazy people shine kayaks! But they look good.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!!! Thanks!

[@rigobertomendoza5123]

Thanks a lot!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

No problem!

[@robertapreston4200]

What are you doing with all those kayaks???

[@RiverKingsKayak]

paddling them! LOL

[@happyguy5414]

Who on earth would go to all this trouble to clean up a plastic kayak!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

this guy! LOL

[@1320trail]

Hey Pete, what wattage orbital sander do you recommend? One with these specs is on sale on Amazon but I'll bet this isn't beefy enough to sand an entire kayak: Random Orbital Sander 2.5A(350W) 6 Variable Speed 13000 RPM What specs so you suggest? Thanks.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I just have a 20v Dewalt hand held...whatever that works out to be...

[@bramschmitz99]

Hi man! Nice video you made! Im planning on doing this. How much sand paper disks did you use? I see the amazon item: 10 pieces of each grit you used this video. Would 20 disks of each grit be enough? And how long did this take you to do this? Thanks in advance! Bram from the Netherlands 😄

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Bram! Yeah 20 disks will be plenty!

[@juanhuttoe4517]

Very nice

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Thanks Juan!

[@mattbarnes9697]

What’s wrong with sanding off the graphics?

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL...well, nothing - if you don't want graphics on the boat

[@IE_Tiger]

What's the point of kayaking if you don't look good?! Great video.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

I know, right!!

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

You could almost put it back in the plastic wrap, haha!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

he he he! Ive been enjoying your channel!

[@MatthewBrookKayaking]

@@RiverKingsKayak wow! Thank you. That means an awful lot!

[@RiverKingsKayak]

@@MatthewBrookKayaking saw the interview with Wade! good stuff!!

[@Jmunoz1675]

Dang bro, looks great but uhm why so many Kayaks? I think you have a problem 😄

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!!

[@Pacific222]

Would have been nice to have the sun light on the kayak and not on the camera lens.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

indeed

[@Its303AcidBass]

Looks like you have a kayak rental business.

[@RiverKingsKayak]

LOL!!

[@lightspeedlife415]

Throw some marine grade wax on there

[@RiverKingsKayak]

Ive never tried that, what does it do? achieve?

[@hsdiddy]

Please research photographic lighting

[@RiverKingsKayak]

🤣