Customize the Hull Color of Your Boat
There are a number of reasons why you may want to customize the hull color of your boat. Some owners simply want the boat to easily stand out from similar boats that are moored at the same marina. Others want to give a recently acquired boat an entirely new look, essentially obliterating the personality and color preferences of a previous owner. Whatever the reason, the task of customizing hull color is a simple one that involves preparing the boat hull for the change, mixing the right blend of colors, and then applying the color to the prepared hull.
Contents
Steps
- Determine the type of material composing the boat hull. Typically, the material will be some type of wood, fiberglass or metal. Identifying the type will also provide clues regarding the type of wax or sealant that may have been applied on top of the present paint job.
- Prepare the boat for a new coat of paint. Begin the process by stripping away any sealant or wax that may be protecting the current paint job. Depending on the type of product used, it may be necessary to use a sander to cut through the protecting layer. In some cases, sanding off the existing paint may also be a good idea, allowing you to begin with a clean palette,
- Apply a coat of primer. Use a primer formulated for use with boats, and spread an even layer across the surface of the hull. This will help to hide any blemishes or other imperfections that may remain.
- Create the ideal color and shade for the boat. Take some time to combine small amounts of different colors to create the hue that is what you have in mind. Before painting the entire hull, apply a small patch and allow it to dry in place. This will help you determine if the shade is right or if some additional mixing is necessary. Be sure to record the amounts of each color used to come up with your customized blend, so that enough can be mixed to paint the entire hull.
- Paint the hull. Using a combination of paint sprayers, brushes and rollers, apply the customized pain to the hull. Apply in even strokes to avoid streaking or dripping. Allow the first coat to dry, and then inspect to see if a second coat is necessary.
- Seal the paint. Once the paint job is dry, apply a coat of wax or an acrylic sealant. This will minimize damage to the paint job over time, allowing your unique color to stand up to all sorts of weather conditions without cracking or peeling.
Tips
- To keep the cost of creating a customized color to a minimum, buy boat paint that has been marked down for quick sale.
- Always mix the paint thoroughly and in sufficient amounts to cover the entire hull. Doing so will avoid having to mix a second batch that may be slightly off in shade from the first one. Save the extra paint for any touch-ups later on.
- Be as creative as you like, using a single customized color or a combination of several colors to create stripes or other designs on the boat hull.
