Painting a fiberglass boat is a lot easier than it looks. Sure, getting a high-quality finish takes work, but you probably have all the skills the job requires. Now it’s just a matter of getting started and taking things step by step.
Before you dig in on your Epifanes painting project, be sure to watch the three-part instructional video on how to apply Epifanes two-part Poly-urethane using just a foam roller.
Fiberglass Matures Over Time
New fiberglass-reinforced composite boats start out with a glossy gelcoat that seals and protects the underlying structure. As gelcoat ages, it can look dull and chalky. If the boat is a relatively “late model,” you can restore that glossy finish with a thorough polishing, but eventually, a new coat of high-gloss paint is called for. We'll walk you through it step-by-step to make sure your end result looks great and will last.
- Step 1: Preparation
- Step 2: Decide on One- or Two-Part Paint
- Step 3: Gather Your Tools
- Step 4: Double Check Your Surface Prep
- Step 5: Apply Primer
- Step 6: Choosing the Right Paint
- Step 7: Carfeully Plan Your Painting Schedule
- Step 8: Be Ready for Setbacks
- Step 9: Enjoy Painting!
Step 1: Stunning Paint Jobs Start with Good Preparation
Clean and smooth! That is your ultimate goal. No scratches or shallow dings or overlooked smudges of wax should be tolerated. Keep in mind, unless you sand a hole right through the hull, you can’t really overdo the prep work. Get your mind around the fact that this is going to take time.
First off, clean the fiberglass thoroughly with warm water and ammonia. Then clean it thoroughly again with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner. This two-step cleansing is critical for removing any and all waxes, oils, or silicones that can ruin your paint job from the start.
Next, sand the entire gelcoat surface with a medium 180-220 grit sandpaper and clean it one more time with Prep Cleaner. Now is the time to make small repairs on blisters, small cracks, and scratches with Epifanes Fiberglass Filler. Larger holes can be fixed with Epifanes Epoxy Filler 1500. Important: give each repair a coat of primer paint as soon as it dries to seal air moisture out.
Time Out: Has your boat been painted before?
If you’re working with the original gelcoat—that is, a factory gelcoat surface that has never been repainted—you can buy either a one-part or two-part paint and skip to Step 3. If not, you are going to need Step 2. It is a very, very important step and you probably ought to read it, anyway.
Step 2: Decide on One- or Two-Part Paint
If your boat has been painted before and you want to use two-part Epifanes Poly-urethane, you must find out if the old paint is two-part poly-urethane or a single component one-part paint.
Here’s the test. Saturate a lint-free cloth with acetone and place it on the surface for 10 minutes. If the old paint wrinkles, you know that’s one-component paint which can only be repainted with another one-component paint. If the old finish remains intact, you’ve got a two-component paint and you can cover that with either a one or a two-component paint.
If you want to use a one-part paint like Epifanes Mono-urethane or Epifanes Yacht Enamel you’re in great shape. One-component paints cure as their drying additives react with air. They’re easy to apply and flow out beautifully under a variety of conditions. Yacht Enamel is ideally suited for wood and working (flexing) structures, while Mono-urethane provides better bonding to fiberglass. Touch-up maintenance of both products is a cinch.
Two-part or two-component poly-urethane paint is a bit more demanding, but the reward is a stronger, more resilient finish. Two-component paints cure through a catalytic chemical process and the application calls for fairly specific working conditions.
Two-part poly-urethane should preferably be applied indoors with a constant temperature range of 54°F to 77°F. Humidity is critical too and should not exceed 70 percent. If these working conditions are doubtful, a one-component paint system will be your better option.
Step 3: Gather Your Tools
Once you’ve chosen your paint and your color, calculate the amount of paint you’ll need using the formulas below. These are also listed in the Epifanes Beauty Secrets brochure. Note: paint volume calculations are for one coat only.
Hull Above the Waterline
2 x (length overall + beam) x freeboard
Superstructure
Total height + 2x length overall + 2x beam minus window sections
Decks
0.75 x total length overall x beam minus super structure
Calculate the total surface area to be painted and refer to coverage information on the can of paint or varnish.
Note: The above calculations are general guidelines. Exact needed quantities may prove higher. Always calculate 10-15% additional material depending on application method and surface.
Check the batch code, a six-digit batch number on the bottom of each will ensure color consistency. If you have different codes, mix both batches together to avoid potential, although slight, color differences.
Shopping List
- Brushes
- Rollers
- Masking tape
- Sandpaper
- Disposable gloves
- Respirator
- Safety glasses
- The right Epifanes cleaners and thinners for the paint you choose
Don’t skimp on the tools and materials that will increase the possibility of a stunning, final finish.
Step 4: Double Check Your Surface Prep
When starting with a gelcoat surface, first wash with water and ammonia, and then degrease with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner or acetone. Continue by sanding the surface with 180-grit paper. After sanding, degrease once more with Epifanes Fiberglass Prep Cleaner.
Wash old paint layers with warm water and ammonia and then degrease with Epifanes Spray Thinner for P&V. This is the spray thinner for single-part paints. Do not use aggressive two-component thinners or acetone for cleaning old paint layers as they can affect the paint system and make sure to have a good supply of clean towels. Sand the old coats thoroughly with 180-220 grit sandpaper.
Step 5: Apply Primer for Maximum Adhesion
Note: You can skip to step 6 if you don't need to apply a primer.
You have some choices here. The most common one-component primer is Epifanes Multi Marine Primer, a fast-drying formula with excellent filling and preservation properties. It comes in white or grey. If your finish paint is white or a lighter color, buy the white. If your paint is a dark color like navy blue or maroon, buy the grey. Multi Marine Primer can even be used under our two-component Poly-urethane topcoat as long as you let the primer cure for several days (a full week is recommended).
For the best long-term protection, Epifanes Epoxy Primer and Epifanes Epoxy HB Coat are two-part, epoxy-based primers that are very tough and resilient. Professionals normally apply at least two layers of primer and often apply a Poly-urethane Primer, which is very easy to sand and provides exceptional adhesion for the final top coat.
If you’re top coating the original gelcoat, it’s important to thin the first coat of the epoxy primers by 25 percent to achieve a deep penetration and apply at least two coats for sufficient protection. After it cures, sand each primer coat thoroughly with 180-220 grit sandpaper to ensure the best adhesion between primer coats and topcoat. This sanding step is the key to preventing inefficient adhesion and possible total nonadherence.
Clean the surface one last time after sanding, of course.
Step 6: Choosing the Correct Paint
We’ve covered the differences between one and two-component paints. If you missed it, go back and read Step 2. Now you’ve got a selection of Epifanes yacht coatings for the all-important final, above-the-waterline top coat.
Epifanes Yacht Enamel
Epifanes Yacht Enamel is a traditional one-component yacht enamel, a classic alkyd paint that flows very well and is very easy to use, indoors and outdoors, with a generous ideal temperature range from 50°F to 86°F. It is our most flexible paint, and best suited for wood. Available in both gloss and satin in a variety of colors.
Epifanes Mono-urethane
Epifanes Mono-urethane Yacht Paint is a modern, one-component, high gloss yacht paint suitable for a variety of surfaces painted indoors or outdoors, from 50°F to 86°F. Its urethane formula provides a much harder, more durable finish than Epifanes Yacht Enamel. It is available in a variety of colors and is also excellent for use on furniture and home décor.
Epifanes Satin Finish and Epifanes Enamel Flat Black
Epifanes Satin Finish and Epifanes Enamel Flat Black respectively are available as standard colors in white and cream or matte black. The Satin Finish has a very attractive semi-gloss finish—very suitable for interior use or to top coat outside surfaces painted with high gloss paint. Epifanes Enamel Flat Black is a bold matte black, abrasion-resistant paint, usable indoors or out, and great for stairs, railings, or facades.
Epifanes Poly-urethane
Epifanes Poly-urethane Yacht Paint is a two-component, high gloss, scratch-resistant, poly-urethane. It provides a durable hard finish with exceptional flow and easy application by brush, foam roller, or spray in temperatures from 54°F to 77°F. In fact, with just an Epifanes Moltopren foam roller, it flows out beautifully and applies faster and easier than the traditional “roll and tip” method. It’s available in 24 standard colors, in both gloss and satin.
With thorough prep work and the correct primer, this is the strongest topcoat. But it is also the more demanding paint for the applicator. Please review the temperature and humidity conditions noted in Step 3 above. A professional-grade protective mask or respirator should be worn during application.
No matter which of the above topcoats you decide upon, pay careful attention to the instructions found on the can. Details like dry times, temperature ranges, and correct application methods will all vary to an extent and need to be followed for the best outcome.
All of these products can be brushed, sprayed, or rolled and tipped for great results. Epifanes Poly-urethane and Mono-urethane can also simply be rolled on with a high-quality Epifanes Moltopren foam roller for a lustrous glossy finish.
Step 7: Carefully Plan Your Painting Schedule
You can achieve extraordinary beauty with your Epifanes painting project, but proper planning is essential. Assume a paint schedule that is comfortably feasible under your current working conditions. Your prep work will require effort and drying times will be longer when it is colder so think through the entire process before you begin.
If you are using fillers, always apply a 25-percent-thinned primer coat as soon as the filler is dried to prevent air moisture from seeping in, which could cause the filler to fail and detach itself mid-season.
Step 8: Be Ready for Setbacks
This is Murphy’s Law territory. Despite your diligent planning and preparation, assume that something may go wrong. Don’t despair, but try to solve problems immediately. This will save you time and effort in the long run. Better to fix it right now than to discover paint lifting off a spot of filler six months down the road. Solving problems beforehand always takes less time—and money—than repairing them later.
Step 9: Enjoy Painting
Yes, this is going to take time. It is work, after all, but you might be surprised to find that painting a boat can be very satisfying, even relaxing especially when you know you’re on top of your game at every step. When the job is done, you can enjoy a great sense of achievement and pride. So do your homework, follow all of the above steps carefully and have fun. Your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtakingly beautiful Epifanes finish!
Visit the Epifanes website for more detailed product and usage information or give them a call at (207) 354-0804 if you have questions or need expert advice on working through any challenges you may encounter with your project.