House paint on a boat

R

Roy

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2000
RO Number
114
Messages
186
What's wrong with using exterior house paint on the exterior of a boat? In my particular case the boat sits on a trailer 99% of time, 6 miles from saltwater. I'm looking to touch up some trim on the fiberglass cabin.

Thanks......... Roy
 
Don't know. Gonna spray or roller or brush it ? Do you ever wax the trim ?
I can't imagine ever waxing or polishing exterior paint. And I made the assumption you were speaking of gallon paint like you would paint your house with ?? Like from Home Depot or Lowes or ??
 
Hi Bobalong - you pretty much got. I was thinking of using a small brush to apply exterior house pant from Home Depot. Didn't think about waxing - that may be an issue.

Roy
 
Go for it . I did it 20yrs ago on a old steel boat that I had. The only problem I had was some brands of paint would chalk. Every time you rubbed against it you would have residue on your clothes or hands. Went to a polyurethane paint that performed much better.
 
I think it depends on the boat. Some boats aren't worth the cost and effort of a proper boat paint job. On the other hand, if you have a relativeley new and expensive boat, it would be a shame to screw it up with house paint.

Exterior house paint is usually not very glossy and will probably show brush or roller marks. And it's far thicker than boat paint.

Rustoleum has a line of marine paint that's under $20 per quart. The color selection is not great but you might be able to get a paint store to custom tint it for you.

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_5h73jbvjy2_e
 
House paint is designed to fill and hide imperfections and look good from a distance. Boat and car paint is designed to level well and shine and look good up close.
 
I think I would go with Rustoleum - house paint is not an enamel, so it is never going to cure to a hard glossy finish. It will work and cover things, just won't look very good.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Roy

Click to expand...


absolutely not.

there is a reason its called house paint and not house boat paint. there are many paint varieties/types that are made to stick to fiberglass and house paint is not one of them. since the area you are talking about painting is relatively small, the savings on the material is very small. if budget is your goal, the $ is in the labor to correctly prep and apply the finishes. if you want to do the labor your self that is where you can put money back in your pocket. visit or call a marine paint supplier and talk with them about the specifics of what you want to paint and let them show you the options on materials and cost for each.
 
I guess look at it this way:
Couple of years ago I backed my Lexus into my old pickup truck. Scratched up the bumpers on both. My own dumb fault, so no insurance, hated looing at my scratched up bumpers - the Lexus, I paid a body shop to repaint the bumper, it looks like new, could never tell it was touched. The truck, I bought a can of Rustoleum, taped things up, sanded and spray painted the front and rear bumpers (the were a matt black finish). Looks ok, but perfect, I am happy with the results based on the time and money spent.

So, is your boat a Lexus or an old pickup truck? Nothing wrong either way, just would probably help decide what kind of paint job to do.
 
If your boat isnt worth anything now go for it. It for sure won't be worth anything when your done.
 
I'd go with the Rustoleum marine paint, it's comparable in price and will outperform the house paint.
 
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