Plastic Wrap allows you achieve a smooth surface without sanding

Applying a fiberglass patch or skid plate to a canoe or kayak can be a messy job that leaves sharp protruding fibers and rough surfaces. Subsequent sanding is unhealthy and tiresome, since the resin is tough and will clog your sandpaper.

For a simpler way to achieve a clean smooth surface with less muss and fuss and no sanding, try this patching method:

		Apply a piece of plastic wrap (the kind you use in the kitchen), or even a common plastic bag over the patch while it is still wet. Smooth the patch with your fingers, kneading it to move the resin around as needed for a smooth final result.
		Knead with your fingers to move resin around and"wet-out" whitish, more opaque areas properly — they will be weak otherwise. If you cannot wet-out all the patch properly, lift off the plastic carefully — the patch may come with it — and apply more resin.

Whitish areas are places where
the fiberglass is insufficiently wetted
with resin. The plastic over the top
allows you to move resin around
in the patch with your fingers

		Stretch the plastic as flat as possible when you feel the resin starting to get stiffer, and do a final smoothing, especially at the edges of the patch. Maybe lay a piece of cardboard over the plastic and press down on the patch to yield a smoother surface.
		Peel off as much of the plastic as you can when the resin is hard, and sand off the remainder.
		Crease marks from the plastic may be present, but the overall finish will be far smoother than you might achieve without using the plastic.
		Skid-plates made from Kevlar-epoxy are easy to apply this way — you can achieve a very smooth surface and edges with no sanding at all.

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