Oil canning in plastic kayaks-how to fix and guidelines for 2023

For those who are considering buying a used kayak or who want to mend their own, learning about oil-canning may be helpful if they want to do the repairs themselves instead of hiring a professional.

You must first understand what Oil canning in plastic kayaks is in order to remedy it. As a result, we’ve come to provide some suggestions on how to avoid it and maybe cure it yourself.

What is an Oil canning

Oil canning is the denting of the canoe or kayak hull caused by being too tightly attached to the vehicle kayak roof rack or placed on the floor on its hull while not in use.

These dents may be a nuisance whether on the water or under pressure. Let’s face it, dents detract from an otherwise attractive kayak or canoe.

They may be caused by more than simply incorrect storage or transport. If you use a whitewater kayak, you know how it feels when you strike a rock too hard and your kayak gets a dent.

How to fix Oil canning in plastic kayaks

What You Will Need:

• Direct Sunshine
• Using Hairdryer
• Use hot water
• wait a couple of hours

1. your canoe or kayak and flip it upside down

Flip your canoe or kayak upside down as the first and most obvious stage in the process. After that, and only then, will you be able to seal the indentations and all of the oil canoe areas.

2. Ensure the Kayak Hull is in Direct Sunshine

A simple but vital step when using sunlight is to heat the hull and make a dent. Ensure that the affected region gets full sunlight exposure. Consider the sun’s movement and whether a shaded area descends over the kayak while it sits in the sun.

The last thing you want is to leave your kayak in the sun and return to find it shady.

3. wait a couple of hours

After a few hours, the dents may self-heal, returning your hull to its previous shape. Depending on the sun’s power, you may want to leave it overnight.

4. Push the dents out yourself

If the sun hasn’t pushed the dents out, you can manually push them out from the inside of the hull. This, together with the sun’s heat, should drive the dent out and restore your hull’s original molded shape. Just push up from beneath the hull and you’re done.

5. Using Hairdryer

If it isn’t summer or you live in a cold climate, the sun may not be able to warm the hull. A hairdryer may assist here. Warm the region where the oil canning happened using a hairdryer. If you melt or burn the plastic, you’ll have more issues than simply oil canning.

6. Pushing Out The Dent

Now that the hull is heated, you may press the dent out. The heat from the hairdryer may have caused the dent to burst out, so you may not need to fix it by hand.

7. Use hot water

In this step, you will need to stand the canoe or kayak up. Pour hot water into the cockpit.
The profit is double. One is that the hot water softens the hull while the water pressure returns it to its former shape.

How to Prevent Damage to a Kayak

Transport it Right

If you’re transporting a kayak or canoe to or from the water, be sure to carry it correctly and avoid pulling it on the ground. As you lift the canoe or kayak off the ground, remember that if it’s too heavy, you may always ask for assistance. Make careful you store your kayak properly while you’re not using it. Using kayak storage racks and hoists is the best way to keep your kayaks safe and secure.

Store it Right

The ideal way to store your kayak is on a kayak storage rack or a kayak hoist. To prevent any possible damage, the kayak should be positioned on its side or upside down.

Move it Right

When kayaking to and from the water, your kayak is most likely to be pulled over the ground. Use a kayak loader or a kayak car to assist transport your kayak from the truck to the water. You may also carry your kayak using the handles.

KAYAK OIL CANNING REPAIR

FaQ

Conclusion

You should now understand Oil canning in plastic kayaks. While it may happen to both old and new plastic canoes and kayaks, you should now know that there are various easy fixes.

Remember to properly carry and store your kayak to reduce the risk of oil canning.