Caring for your fiberglass boat takes time, money, and a lot of patience. One aspect of maintaining your investment is painting your fiberglass boat. Our simple guide of How to Paint a Fiberglass Boat will break down the steps to go about this task resulting in minimum time and maximum results.
How to Paint a Fiberglass Boat
We have written about how Painting a Fiberglass Boat is less daunting of a task than it sounds. Before you dive into the job, assemble all of your supplies from a trusted marine manufacturer. Our line of solvents and cleaners will make the job even easier. Specially formulated to clean and maintain the integrity of your boat’s fiberglass, BoatLIFE products come with a Manufacture Date and batch code, so you know you are getting the freshest and highest-quality boat maintenance products available.
Now, let’s get back to the task of painting a fiberglass boat. Here is how to paint a fiberglass boat in three easy steps.
Step One – Prepare the Surface
Before painting a fiberglass boat, you must prepare the surface by removing the layer of wax over the gel coat. Our Solvent & Cleaner is perfect for the job, as it will protect the fiberglass gel coat while removing the wax in order to prepare the surface for painting. It will also remove any uncured polysulfide sealant. Once the wax is removed, you can spot any areas in the fiberglass surface that need patching. Our Fix Repair Putty will fill in any divots, spider cracks, or holes. Be sure to give the product enough time to fully cure. Once cured, sand the surface to smooth it out before applying paint.
Step Two – Use a Primer
Before you apply paint to a fiberglass boat, you must use a primer for the paint to properly adhere. This first coat of primer, called the “tie coat,” goes over the gel coat. Apply using a roller brush or with a paint brush by hand but be sure to only use a thin layer.
Step Three – Paint Your Fiberglass Boat
It is time to paint your fiberglass boat. Before you do, however, ensure that your paint is compatible with your fiberglass gel coat and any sealants you may have. Our Life-Calk® polysulfide sealant is compatible with most paints, but our manufacturer recommendation is to always check before applying boat caulk to ensure compatibility. Fiberglass boat restoration is time consuming but worth all the effort. Your fiberglass boat will sparkle with its new paint job for years to come. Plus, you’ll have the added satisfaction of knowing that you did it all by yourself.
Before you begin, remember that you want to evenly spread a thin layer of paint on all areas of your fiberglass boat. The first layer is typically applied by roller and the second layer by hand. This ensures that there is a consistent look to the final paint job across all surfaces of your fiberglass boat. Make sure to adhere to the paint manufacturers drying specifications before waxing your newly painted fiberglass boat.
Final Step – Waxing your Fiberglass Boat
The final step in painting a fiberglass boat is to wax the surface. Our Life Wax is a great choice to preserve your fiberglass gel coat and newly painted boat for years to come. Made with pure Carnauba, the wax will adhere to the surface and protect your gel coat finish from harmful UV rays and the aging effects of oxidation, dirt, and debris. Pair our LifeWax® with PolyShine® Premium Boat Polish and enjoy the benefits of your newly waxed fiberglass for up to three years.
Choose BoatLIFE
No matter what the boat repair, boat maintenance, or boat restoration project entails, choose BoatLIFE for all your boat cleaning and boat detailing needs. With over 65 years of manufacturing experience producing high-quality boat care and boat maintenance products, we’re in the business of ensuring your watercraft will be enjoyed for years to come. Check out our full product lineup at www.boatlife.com and subscribe to our blog for the latest updates on DIY boat maintenance tips and inspiration.
