Winter Project Kayak

While browsing though Craigslist I came upon a Prowler 15 being sold that caught my eye.   It is an older model without the rod pod and only having the large oval hatch up front and a small 6" hatch just in front of the seat.  It has the rudder kit and came with a decent fiberglass paddle, upgraded seat and a cheap fisher price looking kart.   I talked the seller down from $700 to $600 but still not certain if it was a good deal.   The Kayak has spent a good bit of time outside at one point getting sun baked.  Looks like they rotated it occasionally as the bottom is as sun bleached as much as the top.  The once black material of the seat is more grey other than were straps were again providing shade.   Spent the morning scrubbing down the exterior and trying to flush out a good amount of leaves, twigs "and a few beer cans" from the interior.

Still I am thinking that after I replace any strap, cord or tie down that looks weakened from sun / age,  it will be fully functional though not as pretty as could be.    I did a good bit of searching and found little results regarding successfully painting Polyethylene,  otherwise I would love to bring some color back into it's cheeks.

Was wondering if others have picked up "Fixer Uppers" just for the sake of trying to bring them back to life?

   

Try "Aerospace Protectant 303" on your hull.....I think this is the same stuff Hobie sells.....about $15.00
I bought a 16 oz spray bottle at my local ace hardware store........it works like a charm on Hobie kayak hulls.

If you are really careful, you might be able to bring back some of the luster with the controlled use of a heat gun, instead of painting the fade away. 

I guess I am stumped regarding how a heat gun can bring the original yellow color back 

How did this project work out for you?

John

Yess... Please tell me more about the heat gun trick. Thanks in advance.