New Paint: A New Look for Your Old Boat

New Paint: A New Look for Your Old Boat

If you have bought a used boat, the appearance can be improved with a good coat of boat or marine paint. Cosmetics are more than skin deep on any boat – you want to be sure that you have a boat with no damage in the materials that were used to make it. Check your boat over carefully, and as long as it's seaworthy, a coat of paint can bring your boat new life.

Your boat exterior may be dull, and this may not always be a bad thing. The gel coat on a boat is mainly for looks, and if a boat is five or ten years old, you may find some dull areas from exposure to the sun. Even boats that are well-buffed won't have the same luster years down the road as they had in the showroom. So, if you find a used boat that is in excellent working condition, you can restore much of its good looks with marine paint and a bit of cosmetic work.

If your new boat purchase is working well, and just has a finish that needs help, or perhaps has some nicks or scratches, you can use marine paint, or hire a boat painter, to bring back the boat's good looks. Since boat painters may be expensive, you might want to look into repainting your boat yourself. If you check top-side marine paints, you'll see that many are similar, in the way they are prepped and applied. Select a brand that is “friendly” for do-it-yourselfers, since these brands will work better for you, if you follow the directions.

Working with marine paint that comes in two parts may look confusing, but it's not actually difficult to use. If you won't be spraying your boat, you'll be using a roll and tip method of application. Practice this a little bit before you start, so that you can keep the boat's finish smooth.

Divide your boat painting project into sections, so that you won't be feeling overcome by the amount of work you have ahead of you. Prep the surface carefully, and expect that this may take longer than the painting will. Be sure you have a smooth finish, and get rid of any wax that might cause your boat paint to lift up after you apply it. Then follow all instructions to create a wonderful new look for your boat.

There is more than one way to apply marine paint to your boat, including spraying, rolling or brushing. Spraying will give you the most even top coat. Prep your boat and the area around it before you start the project. Make sure you have proper ventilation, and spray gear that is powerful enough for the job. You can spray paint your boat outdoors, but with the wind and other variables, it's not recommended.

Check the weather before you paint, too. High humidity or low temperatures should be avoided. If you're brushing your marine paint on, this can look attractive, too; just be careful and be patient. A boat can be hand brushed and still look good, as long as you take your time and know what you're doing. Buy quality brushes, not cheap ones, if you want your marine paint to go on smoothly.

The roll and tip method of marine painting will mean a helper in your paint work. One of you will be rolling on the marine paint in a thin layer, while the other person tips out the bubbles with a brush. If you're patient and attentive, your finish can be very good-looking. Regardless of what method you use, don't try to retouch runs or sags, or you'll ruin the finish. Wait until the paint is dried, and then work out the imperfections.

When you are deciding what method of painting to use on your boat, select one that is the best suited to the facilities you have available to you. Whether you're working in a warehouse or a back yard, know what you're doing and how you'll be applying the paint properly. The same rules will apply whether your boat is large or small. Work with patience and with diligence in creating a great-looking boat. Marine paint will only look attractive when applied by people who take time and know what they're doing.

About the Author

Jane Warren is a water sports enthusiast who enjoys boating, scuba diving and swimming. Out of her love for watersports, she publishes the website TowableTubesDirect.com. This website provides information on water toys including Airhead towables, skis, wakeboards, kayaks and water trampolines. A popular towable tube is the Airhead Big Shot water tube, which is great for 2 riders!