Avoiding the Shrinking feeling

[ghcoe]

I have been watching the canoe builders. it looks like they stretch the canvas before they even apply the paint. What if you were to apply the canvas and just paint/glue it down around the outer edges, staple along the bottom and then applied the paint once the edges were dry? If the canvas were to shrink it would make for a nice drum tight wall.

When they paint the canoes they use a brush with the bristles cut short to work the paint into/through the canvas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jre2mwlYTf0

So my idea is lay the top canvas on by only gluing the edges to the foam, overlapping the sides a bit. After applying the top canvas lay the side canvas on overlapping the top canvas by a inch or so and glue along this seam and around doors and windows. Once all glue is dry, wet the cavas and then allow it to dry and then paint.

Some food for thought.

[wagondude]

I would think you would want to do the sides first with the top wrapping down over the sides for proper water shed. Just in case the joint should fail (not that it is likely or that it has ever happened). Of course I am just using old tech thinking for the new method. It may not apply.

[KCStudly]

Many things like this "just look right" when done the way they always have been, even if the logic is no longer applicable.

However, in this case I agree with Wagondude, the logic is still applicable; even if it never leaks the chances are reduced by shingling the layers with gravity.

Therefore, I intend to lap my roof covering over my side wall covering so that it looks "right" and sheds water, just in case.

[ghcoe]

You know, I don't even know why I did not think of that......

In any case the more I think about this the more I like it.

[GPW]

JMHO, I would be cautious of using staples ... They rust ... ... I believe the more traditional method is copper tacks ... which I’ve used on my artist canvas for many years ...
Although that edge method may seem workable , think we’d prefer having a good coat of adhesive (primer/T2) On the foam , under the fabric.. not depending what we could push through the canvas... Applying canvas over wood is slightly different as the wood has a better Grip with the adhesive , with the surface of the wood having a Gazillion tiny strong fibers to grab the glue , a foam surface is merely some tiny surface bubbles filled with AIR ... I painted on my T2 ,laid the canvas over that , stretched it , then repeated the process till the panel was finished ... then trimmed the edges and glued them down ... For better stretching at stubborn spots , I kept a spray bottle of water handy for dampening the canvas... Also used a handful of blow gun darts as large pins for securing wayward canvas till the glue grabbed. As everything dried it tightened up even more .... You have to remember that glue and even paint is a good % of Water... as the water evaporates , the glue/paint loses volume (size) and therefore naturally SHRINKS ...