Helena Frye
Automotive paint can be used on boats, but it differs from marine paint, which is formulated especially for use on yachts and boats. Marine paint is usually expensive, prompting many to turn to automotive paint. However, when using automotive paint, you have to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can automotive paint be used on boats? | Yes |
| How does it compare to marine paint? | Automotive paint is cheaper, but marine paint is formulated especially for use on boats and yachts |
| How do you apply automotive paint to a boat? | Automotive paint has to be sprayed on. Before applying, you need to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax |
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What You'll Learn
Automotive paint can be used on boats, but it differs from marine paint
Automotive paint is usually sprayed on and can be more expensive than marine paint. For a $10,000 boat, it is recommended to get a marine paint that can be rolled and tipped on. Tenting a boat is going to be more hassle than it is worth, unless you have access to a booth for semi-trucks.
There are "good" and "great" paints targeted to both markets, sometimes there's little to no difference other than the label between automotive and marine.
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Marine paint is formulated especially for use on boats and yachts
Automotive paint differs from marine paint, but it can still be used to give your boat a new look. When using automotive paint, you have to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax. You can paint over with a urethane topcoat in cases of a smooth gel coat. For a rough gel coat, you should spurt three coats of urethane filler over the damp epoxy primer. You can then sand the fill primer after it’s cured, and once the imperfections are smooth and filled, you can spurt the urethane topcoat. You need to sand the primer with finer or 400 grit to eradicate sand scratches.
Automotive paints are also expensive, and they have to be sprayed on. For a $10,000 boat, it is recommended to get a marine paint that can be rolled and tipped on. Tenting a boat is going to be more hassle than it is worth, unless you have access to a booth for semi-trucks.
There are "good" and "great" paints targeted to both markets, sometimes there's little to no difference other than the label between automotive and marine.
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Marine paint is usually more expensive than automotive paint
Automotive paint differs from marine paint, but it can still be used to paint a boat. When using automotive paint, you have to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax. You also need to know how to use it properly. For example, in cases of a smooth gel coat, you can paint over with a urethane topcoat. For a rough gel coat, you should spurt three coats of urethane filler over the damp epoxy primer, and then sand the fill primer after it’s cured. Once the imperfections are smooth and filled, you can spurt the urethane topcoat.
There are "good" and "great" paints targeted to both markets, and sometimes there's little to no difference other than the label between automotive and marine. Some people claim that marine paint is glossier and does not fade as quickly, but this may not be worth the extra cost. It is possible to do an entire car for $200 in materials, but this may not be enough to cover the cost of a paint booth. It is also important to consider the tools required for the job, as these can increase the overall cost. For example, marine paint can be rolled on without being thinned, whereas some other paints need to be thinned.
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Automotive paint needs to be sprayed on
Automotive paint can be used on boats, but it differs from marine paint. It has to be sprayed on, and you will need to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax. For a smooth gel coat, you can paint over with a urethane topcoat. For a rough gel coat, you should spurt three coats of urethane filler over the damp epoxy primer. You can then sand the fill primer after it’s cured, and once the imperfections are smooth and filled, you can spurt the urethane topcoat. You need to sand the primer with finer or 400 grit to eradicate sand scratches.
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You can paint over automotive paint with a urethane topcoat
Automotive paint can be used on boats, but it differs from marine paint. Marine paint is formulated especially for use on yachts and boats, but it is usually expensive, prompting many to turn to automotive paint. When using car paint, you can paint over with a urethane topcoat in cases of a smooth gel coat. For a rough gel coat, you should spurt three coats of urethane filler over the damp epoxy primer. You can then sand the fill primer after it’s cured, and once the imperfections are smooth and filled, you can spurt the urethane topcoat. You need to sand the primer with finer or 400 grit to eradicate sand scratches.
Before using automotive paint, you have to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax. There is a difference between top and bottom paints, and timing is important when it comes to boat painting.
Automotive paint is usually cheaper than marine paint, but it has to be sprayed on. Marine paint can be rolled and tipped on.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, automotive paint can be used on boats. However, it is different from marine paint, so you will need to know how to use it.
Yes, marine paint is usually more expensive, which is why many people opt for automotive paint.
When using automotive paint, you have to sand the gel coat and clean it numerous times with grease remover and wax. You will also need to know the difference between top and bottom paints.
Marine paint is formulated especially for use on yachts and boats, whereas automotive paint is designed for cars.
