Boat paint Singapore

Use the best boat paint and get the best results

Painting a boat is not just about appearance. A properly applied boat paint system (also called a yacht paint system) will also protect your boat from the elements, make it easier to clean, and safer to sail. Boat paint protection will only be effective if the coating system is right for your specific vessel and substrate, and it is applied according to the manufacturers instructions. The right boat paint will make even an old dinghy the pride of the marina. Whether you have a dinghy, canoe, row boat, motorboat, speedboat or yacht, you need to look after your vessel to make sure you get as many good years as possible on the water. A vital part of boat care is the choice and application of boat paint.

In this guide we will take you through the best boat paint systems for GRP/FRP, aluminium, steel, and wood, and provide you with the tips and tricks to ensure a job well done.

Painting your boat for protection and decoration

There are as many yacht paints as there are surfaces on your vessel. To make it simpler we have broken them down into three categories: above the waterline, below the waterline, and wood care. Ultimately you want your boat to look good, but paint is also essential to:

• Protect wood from weathering and rot – only maintained woodwork will withstand the elements, sun, and water exposure
• Protect aluminium and steel against corrosion – a strong risk where metal and water come together
• Protect fibreglass against osmosis – the blistering and weakening caused by water absorption
• Protect the underwater hull from biofouling – prevent everything from slime to barnacles from getting a hold
• Protect decks against wear and damage – a yacht deck is hard working and needs hard-working protection

A quick guide to the types of boat paint and what they do

Like any coating system, painting a boat requires a number of elements and layers to provide the best finish and protection. The essential components of a boat paint system are:

1. Filler – Filling and fairing is an important part of boat paint application. They are intended for the repair of any hull imperfections like cracks, scrapes, holes, or bumps, and to level out and smooth the hull surface and improve hull performance through the water. They are usually applied between two layers of primer.
2. Primer – Seals and protects bare substrates above and below the waterline, provides adhesion for the next layers, and enhances the final finish. Provides a perfect foundation coat and protects against corrosion.
3. Undercoat – The linking layer between the primer and the final coat. Some systems also have a primer and undercoat in one option.
4. Topcoat – Both decorative and protective, the topcoat will make your boat shine and defend it against the onslaught of wind, rain, sun, and salt.
5. Fouling Protection – Also known as antifouling, this protects the underwater hull from the buildup of sea life and slime thereby improving top speed, decreasing fuel consumption and protecting local underwater life.
6. Deck coating – For protecting decks from traffic abrasion, chemicals and UV radiation while making them safe to walk on – most deck coatings increase the surface’s slip resistance.

Though the quality of the products is of course important, the vast majority of coating failures are due to poor surface preparation. It is vitally important that application guidelines are followed and steps are not missed or ignored.

Boat paint systems for fibreglass, aluminium, and steel boats

Each boat material presents its own threats and challenges, and so paint systems are designed with these in mind. For most applications, coating companies provide a one component and a two component option. Which one you choose depends on your own level of confidence with coating, whether your boat is already coated, and what you hope for from the coating. Below is a chart comparing some of the properties of one and two component boat paint systems.

Award winning innovation in boat paint – Awlgrip Quick Build

IBEX, the largest marine industry trade event in North America, yearly provides awards to industry members that reward ingenuity and excellence in the field. Called the ‘Innovation Awards’, they are one of the industry’s most prestigious honours. At IBEX 2018, the Innovation Award for boat care and maintenance went to Awlgrip (from AkzoNobel) and their new Quick Build Sealer and Quick Build Surfacer.

Awlgrip Quick Build is a versatile, quick-drying multi-colour priming system made up of a surfacer and a sealer. Six colour bases can be used with Quick Build Sealer or Surfacer converter and activator, giving the customer the choice between a quick non-sanded sealer system or a sanded surfacing system. It saves time and money throughout the painting process for small to large fibreglass and aluminium boat manufacturers and component suppliers, boatyards, and professional applicators.

Boat paint systems for aluminium and steel boats

Steel and aluminium are popular boat materials because they are strong, watertight, easy to form, and look good. Unfortunately, in the water they can both fall prey to corrosion. A boat paint for aluminium and steel boats protects against corrosion while also providing a perfect finish. The systems below are for above the waterline.

Boat paint systems for fibreglass boats (FRP/GRP)

A fibreglass boat is strong and low maintenance, but once that gelcoat weathers you will need to act to protect the look and durability of your vessel. Over time, fibreglass boats fall victim to osmosis (or fibreglass boat pox) – a process where the gelcoat allows water to be absorbed into the fibreglass and break it down, eventually forming blisters that dissolve the plastic. A coating system will work to protect the boat from osmosis. Below are some of the boat paint systems for fibreglass boats from top brands.

Boat varnish and paint for wooden boats

Wood is beautiful material for a boat and trim material. Of course, it comes with a price. Wood is particularly vulnerable to damage from weathering, sun exposure, water absorption, and attack from marine organisms and mould. However, if you prepare the surface properly, a coating will not just protect the wooden substrate but will actually enhance its natural beauty. The systems in the table below are for above the waterline.

What makes below the waterline yacht paint different

The hull below the waterline is one of the hardest working parts of your boat. It needs to be abrasion resistant to deal with scrapes and knocks and the friction of travelling through water, and it also needs to deal with the threat of fouling. If left unchecked, fouling will build up and cause drag, slowing your boat and increasing your fuel consumption. It will also penetrate and weaken the hull.

The choice of fouling protection coating depends on your boat and how you use it. Your sailing pattern and speed, whether you haul your boat between trips, the environmental and legislative concerns of your region, whether you boat in fresh or saltwater, and what type of coating already exists on your hull. For a full look at fouling protection, check out our dedicated guide.

Products and boat paint specialists in Singapore

As applying boat paint is not always an easy job, there are many specialists in Singapore who can do the job for you. These professional boat painters apply bottom, topside and deck paints from brands such as Jotun, AwlGrip, International, Altex, Prospeed, Nano-Clear and more. Head to your local marina for the nearest boat painting expert in Singapore.

If it is time for your yacht’s maintenance and you are looking for a product or service, do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts are happy to help you find the boat paint of your needs. Also, if you are looking for marine paints for larger vessels, our specialists’ expertise is at your disposal!