HÍ'm writing from Spain.

I need some help to fix up a Kayak Polp paddel. Ih has a yellow band surrounding it all that it's suposed to be a Kevlar textil band fixed with epoxi.

I've found the Video "How to Repair a Damaged Composite Canoe or Kayak" and I thought I may find help here

Could you please help me with the right choice of the materiarls I may need?

 

Thank you very much.

 

Javier

Great!

Ok, I'll try to do my best with my English!

The blade is a Kinetic Polo with Kevlar Edge:

http://www.doubledutch.nl/products/polo_paddles/kinetic_polo_with_kevlar_edge/10-05-12-092315/10-05-12-092823/

It has suffered a bit... but it's an old friend we want to save . As you can see in the pictures, the edge it is protected by a yellow band (aprox. 2,5 mm wide) and that's what I pretend to replace...

What's your opinion?

Thank you very much.

Javier

Hi Javier,

OK, thank you for the photos, I understand exactly what you want to do now.

Yes, I think a repair to this paddle should be possible. The technique would be very similar to the that which we demonstrated in the kayak repair video tutorial where you will use a combination of kevlar flat braid, epoxy repair resin and unperforated release film pulled tight over the repaired area to hold down the kevlar braid and smooth the resin between the braid and the surrounding paddle so that there is not a 'step' where the braid ends.

I can't tell from the photo exactly how 'wide' the braid is (i.e. if you measure up one side of the padle, over the top and down the other side, what is that measurement) but I would say you're looking at either the very narrow 14mm kevlar flat braid or the weider 32mm kevlar flat braid. Probably the 32mm (which would give you about 12mm either side).

The reason we use the rpaid repair epoxy is because it has a very high bond strangth and a high flexural strength making it idea for this type of application.

In terms of the process, you just need to decide between stripping off all of the braid and replacing it or just stripping of the worst damaged area and replacing the braid there (like we do in the video). Everything else should be just as you saw it.

All the best, Matt

Matt Statham
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Sales