chesnut canoe refinishing

[Pat]

I have just inherited an old wood and canvas chesnut canoe. It has been out in the weather for several years and the paint (several layers) is peeling. Is it safe to use paint stripper to remove the old paint or will that damage the canvas? If I do strip it does the canvas require any special treatment before I apply a coat or two of marine enamel? Help me please as I'm running out of good weather to do this in!

[Noah's]

Paint stripper will probably damage the canvas, and if it doesn?t the residue left in the material will probably affect adhesion of the new paint. You might try a heat gun, very carefully. You should have a good look under the gunwales particularly, to be sure there are no cracks in the canvas, it might be best just to replace it. The canvas is normally sealed with a paste filler. If you do manage to strip the paint, and the filler is intact, a couple of coats of enamel primer will fill the surface.