How Do You Paint a Boat Deck?

Painting a small boat is relatively easy. But of course, it goes without saying that it depends on your knowledge and skill. You can always hire a skilled person trained in painting boats if you want a professional finish. 

Painting the boat deck is part of boat maintenance, which will help your boat look fresh and new. A new coat of paint also helps in protecting the boat from the elements. However, if you are ready to tackle painting your boat yourself, it is essential to know what type of paint for your boat deck you should use. 

Boats are made from different materials. This time, we’ll discuss how to paint the deck of a fiberglass boat.

Steps in painting a deck 

If you have all the materials and your safety gear ready, here are the steps.

1. Clean, rinse and dry the boat

You have to ensure that the deck is clean and dry. Move your boat to a place with shade, but you can still use the sunshine and breeze to your advantage. Wash the deck and use the cleaning material you usually use. Rinse the deck with fresh water, ensuring that no debris has fallen on the deck. Dry it as much as you can and leave it for a time to air dry.

Another thing to note here is that if the deck still has a layer of gel coat, you should remove it first. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on safely removing gel coat finish off the boat deck.

2. Remove the boat fixtures you will not paint.

Remove the fixtures on deck that you will not paint so you can do the job easier. For non-removable fixtures, wrap them in painter’s tape for their protection. Likewise, mask the areas that you will not paint. Take your time in this step to ensure that you protect the areas that will not receive paint. Moreover, ensure that the tape properly adheres.

3. Paint the deck

With the appropriate paint you chose, apply the primer. Allow it to dry before applying the paint in the recommended layers. Ensure that you apply the paint evenly in multiple thin coats. Allow the paint to dry between each coat, and finish it off with the recommended topcoat. 

4. Remove the tape

When the paint is almost dry, remove the tape and inspect the deck. Make sure that the areas around the movable and non-removable features are cleanly painted. Do some touch-up jobs when necessary. Next, allow the paint to air dry completely. It may take a few days before the paint properly dries, depending on the weather condition. Reattach the items that you removed when the paint is dry. While waiting for the deck paint to dry, see that no debris will fall on the deck and adhere to the paint.

Read and follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you can achieve the professional finish you want to achieve. Moreover, find out which type of paint is the most suitable for your fiberglass boat deck.