I recently purchased a Wenonah Prism from a person who had bought it used from Sawbill Outfitters several years ago. The bottom of the boat has been refinished with a coat of either epoxy or vinyl ester resin that had graphite mixed in it. (Seller said it came from Sawbill like that).

Anyway, the bottom of the boat has some dings that I would like to fix, and while at it I would like to cosmetically refinish the bottom where that graphite paint job has been scratched away. (yes, I know it is mostly a cosmetic issue)

Since I believe that the Prism has a vinyl ester coat and not epoxy, I can't find any recommendations about whether or not I can mix some of that West System graphite Powder into it, is that not recommended?

Willing to listen to anyone's suggestions as to what you would do if it were your boat? I have no problem with scratched bottom boats--I just would rather they were my scratches rather than previous owners and outfitters :)

Call Sawbill. I am sure they will tell you (if they know) that it was them who refinished it…and then can confirm that it was vinylester. If it happened to have been coated in epoxy, you’ll need to match that with your repairs. Hopefully you are right and it is vinylester.

If it were my canoe, I would probably:
1. Try to determine if it was refinished with epoxy or VE resin and use the same type for refinishing.
2. Mix a small amount of graphite powder with the resin and fill in any chips or deep gouges. Maybe do several coats if necessary to build up these areas.
3. After resin has set up, sand smooth, trying not to burn through the graphite layer.
4. Apply clear resin over the area sanded, perhaps with a paint roller. Small scratches from sanding should disappear.
5. Not worry about small imperfections, you will notice them, others most likely will not. Enjoy.

sns: "Call Sawbill. I am sure they will tell you (if they know) that it was them who refinished it…and then can confirm that it was vinylester. If it happened to have been coated in epoxy, you’ll need to match that with your repairs. Hopefully you are right and it is vinylester. "

I sent an email out to Sawbill. Will see what they say.

arnesr: "If it were my canoe, I would probably:
1. Try to determine if it was refinished with epoxy or VE resin and use the same type for refinishing.
2. Mix a small amount of graphite powder with the resin and fill in any chips or deep gouges. Maybe do several coats if necessary to build up these areas.
3. After resin has set up, sand smooth, trying not to burn through the graphite layer.
4. Apply clear resin over the area sanded, perhaps with a paint roller. Small scratches from sanding should disappear.
5. Not worry about small imperfections, you will notice them, others most likely will not. Enjoy."

Got the answer from Sawbill. Bill used epoxy with graphite on the hull for protection. According to Dan, you can put epoxy over vinyl ester, but not vice versa. So, I will plan to fill the dings, do a light sanding and then put a very light clear coat expoxy finish over the top.

Then to shine up above the black area where the epoxy is, I may due a light sanding and refinish the vinyl ester portion up to the gunwales. Haven't decided if I want to do that much of a restoration or not. It is just cosmetic, so we'll see how far my vanity takes me.

As I mentioned--I don't mind a scratched up boat.. I just like them to be my scratches.

It's permit week coming up--so that'll take my mind in a different direction for a couple days :)

I did the black carbon. It looks nice but shows every scratch h.
If I do it again . I plan to add a ton of white pigment . It will definitely show less scratches. If you plan to go with white it would probably be best to remove the black. 80 grit orbital sandpaper. And a flat 3x8 electric sander. White pigment can be purchased at West Marine

I got it done. I sanded it, mixed some graphite powder with West systems epoxy and 207 hardener, taped off the boat so the black epoxy only was applied originally Put on a lite coat of the black epoxy over the old chippy stuff. Then I sanded the whole boat with 220 grit, and did the whole boat with a clear coat of the West system epoxy then one more light sanding, then a thin layer of Epifanes varnish. And it looks great to me. Now I can go out and put my own scratches on it. Here's the updated photo showing the difference from the beginning of this thread.