Properly maintaining your boat is key to keeping your boat looking good and working well for years to come. However, sometimes when a boat starts to look aged it is time to paint your boat to give it a refresh and keep it looking new. Additionally, applying a fresh coat of boat paint helps to keep the vessel's structure protected from rust. Painting your boat does not have to be a difficult task and can completely change the appearance of your boat.
Keeping Up With Your Boat Maintenance
As we said above, maintenance is a huge part in keeping your boat looking fresh. This includes cleaning and waxing your boat frequently. It is recommended that you give your boat a deep clean and wax at least two times a year. It is also recommended to keep up with even the small repairs to ensure they don't turn into bigger issues!
Boat Paint Preparation
Before you begin painting your boat there are a few steps you need to take to prepare your boat. First, you will want to remove all the hardware on your boat in the area where you will be painting (for example vents, railings, cleats, teak or wood trim). Second, you will need to repair any imperfections on the surface of your boat such as chips or other damage. Third, you need to ensure the boat's surface is clean and ready. To ensure it is ready you should wash, de-wax, and sand your boat before painting it.
Painting Your Boat
After you prep your boat, you are ready to paint it! Before applying the paint you should apply primer to seal the surface and improve the adhesion of the paint. Some things you pay need while you are painting your boat are:
- Paint Buckets
- Drop Cloths
- Tape
- Masking Paper
- Rollers and Frames
- Paint Brushes
- Trays
- Mixers
- Respirators
- Rags
It is recommended to have both rollers and brushes available when painting your boat. A common method is to use a roller for the larger areas and then go over that with a brush to erase the roller pattern and for the smaller areas. Once you've given your boat a fresh coat of paint, you may want to customize your boat even further with vinyl graphics and lettering.