The application of this great, 2-part product was easy and efficient. We've mixed in and sprinkled on non-skid grit and have found the mix-in (the paint) method is superior as it's easier to do and provides a more uniform distribution -- we'd recommend the mix-in method. The paint has provided a very durable finish that resists the rough treatment it gets from our summer-long program of racing major events nearly every weekend. The non-skid inclusion has proven an excellent choice for the security of crew footing. In the attached picture you can see the great finish quality and compare it to the cockpit sole which has not yet been done but looks about as bad as the seat area (inside the blue tape) had.

By Avid Kayaker from Mt. Prospect, IL (Chicago suburbs) on 3/7/2008

When I set out to build a cedar strip sea kayak I did my research before beginning. 2 Years of research no less! I knew I would most likely only get one chance in my life to build a handcrafted kayak and I wanted to do it right. I ended up picking a beautiful 18-foot kayak design from a major kayak designer. As soon as I had my strong back built I began the 7-month long building process.

My kayak was built using reclaimed western red and northern white cedar with beautiful, highly figured walnut and ebony accents. On top of that the entire kayak was built without using a single staple. The entire hull inside and out was covered with 6oz S-Glass and a top of the line epoxy. Once epoxed, the fiberglass cloth disappears and the beauty of the wood shines through. This is one beautiful kayak that turns heads wherever I take her.

After all that time and effort I didn’t want to trust just any varnish, I wanted the best thing available to protect my kayak from scratches and UV damage. Again, I had done my research and the “rave” reviews always pointed me in the direction of the Interlux Perfection Two Part Polyurethane. Although more expensive then some other UV protective coatings I felt the benefits outweighed the extra cost. The Interlux Perfection was a little more difficult to apply then some varnishes but oh my what a beautiful shine. All traditional varnishes have an amber hue and yellow even more over time but the Interlux Poly goes on clear as glass and has stayed crystal clear after 3 hard seasons on the water. In addition its UV protection abilities are the best in the industry. There has been no denigration of the highly light sensitive epoxy at all.

I had read that the Interlux Perfection Poly was also much harder and more durable then traditional varnish. Again, after 3 seasons the Interlux has proven to be everything it was touted to be. The bottom of my kayak has only slight surface scratches, none of which has penetrated through the super tough poly coat to the sensitive epoxy below. Some friends of mine in my kayak club have handcrafted wood kayaks that were coated using a high quality traditional varnish such as Captains. They all have had to re-varnish their kayaks at the end of every season.

In conclusion, was the extra cost and initial effort of application worth it? I would give a resounding YES to that question without hesitation. In time, you end up saving both money and effort by not having to recoat your kayak every year (or any kind of wooden boat for that matter). Add to that the unparalled UV protection and crystal clear mirror finish and you’d have to be crazy to use anything less. Note: I used the clear but they also make the Interlux Perfection Two Part Polyurethane in a full range of colors.

My home built kayak

Tags: Made with Product

By Joe from Valatie, NY on 3/7/2008

Last spring I restored a 1970 Cobia runabout. All of the finishes I used were great but Interlux Perfection really stood out above all the rest. The super hard, mirror finish still looks wet and didn't leave a mark when I managed to "tap" a dock last summer. This paint is everything Interlux says it is, and more. It also has a nice long pot life so you don't have to hurry the application process.
If you want to stand back and really admire the work you have done, use Interlux Perfection.

Before

After

By Mike the Dentist from Norwalk, CT on 2/14/2008

This is great paint. I painted a kayak with it with the help of a friend. He rolled it on, and i tipped it with a foam brush. The side of the kayak looks like a mirror, really impressive, and hard to believe because i'm not a professional painter. I'm a dentist. I'd recommend doing some test samples, and expirement with thinner ratios and temperature. Take your time and get it right. We did not and now one side looks better than the other. READ THE DIRECTIONS!!!