Looking for "how to" recommendations

[CCutshall]

What book would you suggest as the best guide to recovering canvas over ply decks (on a 1954 mahogany over oak yawl). My bias is toward a simple, traditional approach. The plywood appears to be in excellent condition (so far).
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Thorne]

Try the search function on this forum while you wait for a book recommendation -- this topic has come up quite a few times and been discussed in detail.

[CCutshall]

Thorne,
I do see a lot of discussion on methods and techniques. But I'm hoping to find an comprehensive resourse as a guide. I have not yet found that in my searched. Perhaps I've overlooked.

[Pierre LaRochelle]

For outdated shop or equipment manuals of this kind I would try Powells Book Store (On-Line) for a search. They are located in Portland, Oregon....a most wonderful place to visit if you get the chance.

PL

[Jay Greer]

Thorne,
Here is the traditional method as I learned it from L. Francis Herreshoff. Purchase raw non-shrunk natural canvas, loose woven cheap stuff will give best footing. The only supplier I know of is Seattle Canvas. After filling any nicks or dings in the surface, (I use epoxy and micro balloons) spread on a thin coat of white lead paste using a notched trowel. Lay on canvas and tack with either monel or copper staples around the edges, making sure that you have smoothed out any wrinkles with a scraper made of 1/4 ply wood that has the edges rounded over. The canvas should be pulled as tight as possible during tacking. Immediatly pour boiling water on the canvas. Allow a half hour for it to shrink and dry to damp condition and apply a thin coat of semi gloss "oilbased house paint". This paint works best if thinned with turpentine. Don't worry about painting the damp canvas the paint is there to set the shrink. Next day apply another thin coat. If it doesn't give full color cover then add another. House paint is designed to sluff off. This will occur with deck scrubbings if using a brush for doing it. The deck should never be painted to the point that the weave is fully filled. The sluffing action will prevent this.
JG