Boat Varnish

Painting the boat yourself

- Which boat varnish to choose? -

Top coats are divided into one-component and two-component varnishes. 1-component boat varnish is cheaper and easier to apply, but must be reapplied more frequently due to its consistency. 2-component boat varnish consists of a base coat and a hardener. These components must be mixed before use. Two-component varnishes are much more durable and keep their gloss for 6-8 years, which is better than one-component products (approx. 2-4 years).

1-component boat varnish or 2-component boat varnish?

Never apply 2-component boat varnish to 1-component paint! If you are not sure what type of boat varnish is on your hull, we recommend soaking a small cloth with 2K thinner and placing it on the hull somewhere out of sight. After a few minutes, check carefully whether the paint can be easily removed (e.g. with a spatula or a pocket knife). If so, one-component varnish has been used. Make sure you only use 1-K boat varnish again!

Re-apply boat varnish to the gelcoat

If you are going to apply boat paint directly to the gelcoat, a 2-component varnish is recommended due to its hardness. A compatible 2-component primer should first be used. If it is not a new boat, be sure to remove any unevenness before applying the varnish.

Refreshing and touch ups

If your existing boat paint is still intact and only needs to be refreshed, you can simply reapply with another coat. It is essential to repair deep scratches and damage beforehand in order to obtain an even coat of paint. The old layer should be lightly sanded for better results.

Cracked and flaking boat paint

If the old boat paint can no longer be used, it must be completely removed. The best way to do this is to use a hot air gun and scraper. Start painting again from your boat's gelcoat.

Applying paint correctly - brush or roller?

Corners, edges and small parts should first be painted with a brush. Large areas are easiest to paint with a roller. When applying boat paint, always work horizontally with the roller in order to reduce the risk of dripping and to achieve better coverage. Be careful with 2-component varnishes: Never use foam rollers!

Number of coats and dealing with defects