Tips for Painting Your Boat

Painting your boat yourself is a great skill to acquire because it will improve the value of an older vessel. The process can be difficult and time-consuming, but worth it in the end after you see the finished product. If you have never painted a boat before, you should first get acquainted with the basics. Then you can read up on tips specific to painting certain areas. Visit us at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales) in Branson, Missouri, and we can show you around to our best deals. We welcome customers from Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri. 

Basic Steps

All of the hardware needs to be taken off the vessel before you can paint. Then fix any chips or marks on the surface. After filling in those flaws, you can work on prepping the surface by washing and de-waxing it. You need to apply a good coat of primer before any paint. After painting your boat, you should always wax it to keep the freshly painted surface safe. 

Painting a Fiberglass Boat

There are a few differences between painting fiberglass boats and wood boats. First, you will follow a different set of steps to prep the surface for paint. When you are ready to paint, you should apply several thin coats of paint to achieve a smooth look. 

Painting a Boat Bottom

A boat bottom requires special paint that stops organic growth from long-term exposure to the water. If there is old paint, you will sand away all of that before applying anti-fouling paint. If the bottom has a fresh gel coat, you can de-wax and sand the same as the rest of the boat. 

Painting a Boat Hull

The hull of a boat is often easier to paint because it is a smooth area without too much hardware to remove. Take note that you need to apply paint slowly on vertical surfaces like the hull. Apply even, thin coats to avoid unattractive drips of paint down the side. 

Painting a Boat With Non-Skid Surfaces

A non-skid or non-slip surface cannot be painted in the same way as other areas. Use a textured compound that has grit mixed in with the paint to maintain the non-slip characteristics of the surface. 

Take the time to paint your boat to help it look new again. Despite the time and labor, you will be pleasantly surprised by the transformation. If you need more information or tips, head to The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales), and our team will be there to offer their expertise. Our dealership, located in Branson, Missouri, proudly serves Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri.