John,

I'm not an expert builder by any means, but this I do know: no shellac under epoxy! You want the epoxy to get to the wood and seal it, and the shellac would inhibit that.

Others on here with more experience with dye than I have I can give you advice on that part of it...I have used Jacquard acid dye and it's very good. Have you called CLC and talked to John Harris about your unhappiness with the wood you received? My experience with them is that they want everyone 100% happy, and might swap out the wood. If there is a reasonable solution to the problem I'm sure John would help you out.

In the little bit that I "think" I know about building the Hawk, aren't you suppose to glass all the panels flat before stitching it together?

Anyway, don't shellac anything, except for the dude at the Rockler store.

Good luck with the build. If you have any questions, you could always email Mark Rogers at Superior Kayaks--he is the designer (and builder) of the Arctic Hawk.

Brad

: I now have my kit from CLC--an Arctic Hawk. reading the 400 page book that
: came with it. The wood is rather drab, so I thought I would tint it.
: Rockler store tells me to coat the dye with shellac prior to glassing. I
: have a sense this is NOT a good idea.
: Anyone use the dye, I planned to mix it rubbing alcohol to minimize the grain
: ( what little there is of it) from being raised.
: I was thinking of a yellow tint for the deck, maybe a fade light to dark,
: darker at both ends of the boat. Have some red mahagoney tint for the
: hull.
: Seems the tint is for interior use and some fading will be happening despite
: the glass and varnish.

: Tips? anyone want to pass on any info on building the AH?

: Thanks. It certainly has taken me along time to actually get into the
: building rather than just dreaming.
: thanks.