How to Repair Canvas Canoes

Nothing feels like a cedar-strip canvas canoe, said canoe hero Omer Stringer. The flexible cedar frame moves within the canvas and makes the boat feel alive. In addition to making the boat flexible, the woodwork looks great. The warm interior woodwork shines bright under layers of varnish and contrasts with the painted canvas exterior. The canvas exterior not only looks good, but it serves as the first line of defense against damage. Occasionally, the canvas tears. Duct tape works as a quick repair, but once back in the shop, a patch permanently repairs the rip.

Things You'll Need

  • Knife
  • Scissors
  • Canvas
  • Ambroid Liquid Cement
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Instructions

    • 1

      Scrape the paint away from the tear in the canvas about an inch on each side. Don't cut into the canvas. If you find wet canvas under the paint, continue the scrape away the paint until you have an inch of dry canvas surrounding the wet area.

    • 2

      Let the canvas dry.

    • 3

      Cut a piece of canvas to fit over the scraped canvas.

    • 4

      Coat the scraped canvas and the canoe side of the patch with Ambroid Liquid Cement. Cure the glue according to the instructions.

    • 5

      Place the patch on the canoe and push it tightly to the canoe. Squeeze any excess glue out from under the patch.

    • 6

      Coat the top of the patch with a layer of liquid cement. The cement must penetrate the canvas, so add extra cement if the canvas sucks up enough cement that the surface feels dry.

    • 7

      Dry overnight.