How to Paint Wood Boats

Paint wooden boats to protect them.

Preparing a wooden boat for painting takes effort and has a beneficial effect on the finished surface. You may need to take an old boat back to bare wood to achieve the best painting results. A heat gun and scraper are best for this procedure. Paint only when you are certain the wood is completely dry and dust free. Wooden boats breathe and move as they dry and swell, so it is important to paint in the optimum dry environment.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Liquid laundry detergent
• Stiff brush
• Steel pan scrubber
• Painter's glazing compound
• Sandpaper, 80 and 120 grit
• Electric sander
• Vacuum
• Wood fill primer paint
• Putty knife
• Brushes, good quality

Instructions

1. Plan to work on a dry day with low humidity and in a work area that will not be disturbed by wind.

2. Remove any hardware, with a screwdriver, that could be scratched or damaged .

3. Apply liquid laundry detergent to your boat with a stiff brush. Let this sit for five minutes to loosen dirt and remove any grease. Wash and dry with rags.

4. Prepare the wooden surface before painting by removing any loose paint chips. A steel pan scrubber works well for this procedure.

5. Fill any large cracks with painter's glazing compound. Do not use epoxy fillers on fastener holes as it can not be easily removed at a later date, if necessary.

6. Sand bare wood with 80 grit sandpaper. Use 120 grit paper if you are sanding over previous paint.

7. Vacuum to remove all dust before painting.

8. Paint three coats of primer below the waterline and two above it. Metallic primers have microscopic aluminum plates that make it hard for water to pass this barrier.

9. Paint topcoat using oil, water, or acrylic based paints. Follow the label directions. Paint can be brushed, rolled or sprayed onto a wooden boat. Good ventilation is necessary, especially if spraying. Rolling takes two people, one to roll and another to follow and brush out air bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people prefer to use creosote or a fungi-bactericide on the clean wood before painting. If used, this needs to dry thoroughly before painting.

• Wear safety goggles and a mask.

References

• DIY Wood Boat.com: Notes on Wooden Boat Building and Renovation: Wooden Boat Paint
• mademan: Wit, Wisdom, Women: How to paint Wood Boats?
• Mulitpy: Wooden Boat Builder: How to Paint a Wooden Boat