What oil do you use on a paddle?

We do recommend Badger Wood Oil for maintaining your solid wood paddles, but you can use a fine quality Tung or Teak Oil Finish product or even boiled linseed oil instead. For an extra smooth finish, “wet sand” the paddle while oiling using a fine wet proof sandpaper, a 320 grit will do.

What do you coat a paddle with?

Linseed oil is old school. It's been used for many many years as a component in linoleum, varnishes, paints and putty; and as a penetrating finish by furniture and tool makers, and for rifle stocks, cricket bats, and paddles.

How do you treat a wooden paddle?

If the paddles feels rough to the touch you can do a light sanding with fine sandpaper and then remove all dust with a tack cloth. Using a clean, dry rag, apply a thin coat of oil moving in the same direction as the grain of the wood. Let the paddle sit for ten minutes.

What is the care and maintenance of a paddle?

After each use:

Rinse each half with clean, fresh water; be sure to rinse the ferrule as well. Examine the internal parts of the shaft frequently to make sure they are clear of water and debris. When not in use, store your kayak paddle halves apart in a clean, dry, indoor place whenever possible.

Is Ash good for paddles?

ash makes a very tough, durable paddle. Ash is probably the most flexible as well as durable woods for paddle making and is ideal for trip paddles.

Whiskey Fireside Chat #21 - Oil vs. Varnish Your Canoe Paddle

What wood is best for paddles?

Hardwoods such as ash, walnut, cherry, maple provide stiffness and strength and durability, while softwoods such as cedar, fir, pine, basswood offer lightweight and flex. There's no prescribed or universal formula to building a laminated paddle. Makers will often use locally available woods.

Are wooden paddles better than plastic?

Wooden paddles are heavier but have a very nice feel to them, they can be expensive. The flex in plastic blades can mean you lose power and the blades can flutter under heavy load. Aluminium paddle shafts aren't that nice to hold in the long run, especially in the cold. These tend to be the cheapest option.

How do I protect my kayak paddle?

One of the best investments you can make to protect your kayak fishing paddles is a quality paddle bag to keep them in.

How do you take care of a canoe paddle?

Before varnishing, wipe clean with a soft cloth or a tack rag to remove any surface dust. If you are only varnishing the blade of your paddle – use painters tape to give a clean edge-line to your finish. Using a brush made of natural fibre or sponge, brush on the varnish according to the manufacturers directions.

How do you clean a paddle board?

What oil do you use for canoe paddles?

We do recommend Badger Wood Oil for maintaining your solid wood paddles, but you can use a fine quality Tung or Teak Oil Finish product or even boiled linseed oil instead. For an extra smooth finish, “wet sand” the paddle while oiling using a fine wet proof sandpaper, a 320 grit will do.

Is tung oil good for wood?

Originating from China and South America, tung oil—an extract from tung-tree nuts—is a natural drying oil that coats your fine wood furnishings with a transparent, wet finish. It enhances the color of your wood, offers excellent protection and is eco-friendly.

What is in Spar varnish?

Marine varnish is a finish coating that protects your wood against sun, rain, wind, sea spray, UV rays, and chemicals. The products packaged and sold as marine or spar varnishs actually typically contain a mix of oil, solvent, resin, ultra-violet additives, and drying agents.

What do you seal oars with?

Use blue painter's tape to wrap around and protect handles and rope wraps. 2. Get a two or three sheets of both 60 and 120 grit sandpaper for each oar. You can use a variable speed orbital sander for the blades.

How do you varnish a paddle?

Polyurethane varnish is fast and easy, but marine spar varnish is much tougher. Preparation: Sand lightly (not back to bare wood), then polish with progressively finer grits of sandpaper until the surface is baby-bottom smooth. Two coats of marine spar varnish (sand lightly between coats) are enough.

How do you varnish oars?

All varnishing should be done in a well-ventilated area.

Rough up all surfaces with 320 grit sanding disc and apply the first coat of spar varnish. Let cure for 12 hours at 65°F or warmer. Once cured, buff the entire surface with a buffing pad. Apply a second coat of spar varnish.

What kind of wax do you use for a kayak?

Marine wax (Make sure that it's suitable for use on composite kayaks.) UV protectant (The 303 Products Aerospace Protectant is a highly recommended option that pretty much acts as a sunscreen for your kayak.)

How do I stop my kayak from scratching?

One way to do this is by using a hull protector. Hull protectors are adhesive strips that you can apply to the bottom of your kayak. They provide a barrier between your kayak and any obstacles that it may encounter. Another way to prevent scratches and damage is by being careful when transporting your kayak.

What is a Greenland paddle?

A Greenland paddle was used by the Inuit paddlers of Greenland. It predates the European blade shape by thousands of years and is characterized by a long slim blade (typically around 3 1/4 – 3 1/2 inches wide) and a shorter loom (or shaft).

What wood is best for a canoe paddle?

The best wood species for paddles are both strong and lightweight. Mike's go-to choice is basswood. Other popular options include white cedar and Alaskan yellow cedar. These woods tend to have less character to their grains, but they are light- weight and easy to shape.

What are paddles made of?

The main materials used in construction of the paddles will contain metal (aluminum), wood, plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. There are two main parts of the paddle design, the blade and the shaft.

How thick should a canoe paddle be?

Most shafts on canoe paddles are approximately 1.25" thick so its good to have boards that are at least that. Slightly thicker is better (between 1.25" and 1.5") so it gives you some room for error, shaping and sanding.