fisherman
Well-known member
Repairing the keel of my ancient wood 15ft dredging punt. I found a few soft patches, I clamped guides on the sides and routered out a neat rectangle to glue a piece of oak in. Now I have exposed wood, which is going to have a 18mm thick oak fixed over to protect the edges which have frayed a bit dragging on beaches. What should I use to treat the bare old wood first? Something to soak well in would be nice, thinned primer? I try to use traditional methods, red lead putty etc where possible, but I thought for between the old and new wood a strip of denso tape would replicate tar and cotton or canvas, but it's primarily for metal. Then I found a tin of car underbody brushable synthetic rubber seam sealant. I clamped two pieces of oak together with it, it hardened on the outside and stayed soft in the middle. I could just use CT1 or Sikaflex.