What kind of paint is best to paint a fiberglass boat?

Answer 1

You need a marine grade paint. This is a difficult task, combined with hard-to-use paint. A lot of prep work is needed, removing barnacles, moss, scale, and more. Best option is to take it to a paint shop that knows about boats. Even though it may cost you more, you will be better off in the long run.

Answer 2

Ok, depends on a few things. First for a "in-water" boat, one that sits at a mooring or slip for extended periods you want two types of paint, a bottom paint which has materials which kill off slime and other lifeforms from growing on your boat, and then the normal shiny topside paint. For topside paint you'll want to choose based on how you're applying the paint (brush or spray) but get a two-part urethane finish for durability.

Petit, Interlux, and Awlgrip are good brands for marine use. Check their websites before deciding. They should all be available through a local marine store, like West Marine or your local chandlery. Don't decide on price alone - it's a pain to do a good paint job so you don't want to need to redo it next year, the type and quality of paint matters. Quality of the spray equipment and brushes used makes a big difference. Preparation of the surface (dewaxing new glass, sanding/fairing, cleaning, priming/barrier coats) makes a huge difference.

In the end you can usually get a boatyard to do a good job for a reasonable price.

What's on your boat now? Well for most all production boats, you almost never have topside paint, but rather gelcoat, which is something which is sprayed into a mould before the fiberglass is even layed up. So it's built up from outside in. This is a really shiny well developed surface, and paint doesn't match it. So if you're hoping to touch something up with paint, good luck, you can get close but gelcoat repair kits might be better if it's a really small fix.

BTW - below the water.
Bottom paints, or "antifouling" coatings (cause they keep foul stuff from growing on your boat :) ) are generally poisionous to breathe (from sanding dust), pretty expensive, filled with chemicals, etc.. And it's not expensive to have a boatyard roll these on. Because they're below the waterline the "quality" of the finish is less demanding and the paint usually only lasts for a few years anyway. I wouldn't recommending do this yourself. Interlux and the others make a lot of different kinds for different areas. Check with your boat yard.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What kind of paint is best to paint a fiberglass boat?

Answer 4

Since all boats at some point in time run a ground, you need a tough paint that will protect, and will take being hit by rocks and sand. The paint that is needed is an Epoxy Paint. It is tough, last a long time, but somewhat difficult to polish since it is so hard. For duriability go with epoxy.

Answer 5

Fiberglass boats usually have their own products like Blue Water Marine Paint. It is usually a system of layers that are used to protect the hull one even being exclusively made to rot (paint rots instead of the boat). I have found pretty good information and techniques (as well as some product advise) from http://www.diynetwork.com

from a show called "Ship Shape Boating."

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/autos_boats

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

The same paint they use for Corvets should work just fine. No paint will hold up the same as the original gel coat but Imron paint with a hardener should be sufficient and the best value. Nothing will work well if you don't prep it right. Check with Ditzler Paint Co.

Answer 7

Fiberglass paint.

Answer 8

Awlgrip (good DIY) and Interlux make excellent boat paints. My favorite boat paint, which is also the hardest to apply, but longest lasting, is Imron (have a yard do this). As with all paints, the quality of your prep work, and following the application instructions carefully can make or break the project.

Chris

Answer 9

You could go to a store (maybe Home Depot or something like that) and look around to see if there's any water-proof paint especially for fiberglass kinds.

Answer 10

It must have a certain amount of flex to it so DO NOT use regular paint. Go to a boat place or check the interent for a boating business that sells paint. Specific jobs require specific tools!