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If your boat deck started to fade and lose its shine, perhaps it’s time you repainted it and restored its former glory. More importantly, the best paint for boat deck will also make your deck safer by adding a slip-resistant layer.
When choosing the right paint for your boat, you should think about a few things. The paint needs to be easy to apply, adhere well to the surface, resist weather conditions, and give you good traction whether it’s wet or dry.
In this article, we’re going to help you narrow down your choice. Our boat deck paint reviews will give you an insight into the best boat deck paints that will work fantastically on any deck surface. And, in the buying guide, you’ll learn about everything you should look for in high-quality paint.
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- KiwiGrip roller for easier application
- One-part system for convenient use
- Environmentally-friendly acrylic formula
- Adjustable texture (based on application technique)
Type: Water-based Acrylic
Surfaces: Wood, Fiberglass, Epoxy, Concrete, Metal
Volume: 1 or 4 liters
Non-skid: Yes
Coverage: 20 square feet per liter
Curing time: 1h (touch), 24h (walk), 7 days (fully)
Color(s): Black, Blue, Cream, Gray, White
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- UV resistant formula won’t crack or peel in the sun
- Adheres well to almost any type of surface
- Easy to clean (safe for scrubbing)
- Large coverage with a single can
Type: Polyurethane
Surfaces: Fiberglass, Wood, Metal, Previously Painted Surfaces
Volume: 1 quart
Non-skid: Yes
Coverage: 250 to 300 square feet per gallon
Curing time: 24h (walk), 2 weeks (fully)
Color(s): Beige, Gray, Light Gray, White
Rust-Oleum Marine Topside Paint
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- Oil-based formula for easier application
- Dries to the touch within 2 hours
- Retains gloss and color for a long time
- Abrasion-resistant with excellent durability
Type: Modified Alkyd
Surfaces: Fiberglass, Wood, Metal
Volume: 1 quart
Non-skid: No
Coverage: 100 square feet (per can)
Curing time: 1 to 2 hours (touch)
Color(s): 9 colors available
TUFF Coat UT-100 1 Gallon Non-Skid Coating
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- Rubberized formula prevents slipping
- Water-based and completely safe to use
- Highly resistant to UV rays and weather conditions
- Suitable for almost all types of surfaces
Type: Water-based
Surfaces: Fiberglass, Concrete, Wood, Aluminum, Steel
Volume: 1 gallon
Non-skid: Yes
Coverage: 40 to 45 square feet in two coats (per gallon)
Curing time: 24h (touch), 5-7 days (fully)
Color(s): 8 colors available
Durabak 18 Non Slip Coating Deck Paint for Boats
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- Textured for even greater slip-resistance
- Huge number of color options (sixteen)
- Suitable to use even in direct sunlight
- Bonds well to itself for easy reparations
Type: Polyurethane
Surfaces: Concrete, Wood, Fiberglass, Metal, Coated Surfaces
Volume: 1 gallon
Non-skid: Yes
Coverage: 60 square feet in two coats (per gallon)
Color(s): 16 colors available
Interlux Interdeck Slip-Resistant Deck Paint
- What Makes This Boat Deck Paint Stand Out
- Mineral additives significantly increase durability
- Low sheen finish helps prevent sunlight glare
- Looks great (no peels or cracks) for many years
- Great to use on any material, even painted surfaces
Type: Polyurethane
Surfaces: Any
Volume: 1 quart
Non-skid: YesÂ
Color(s): Gray, White, Cream, Sand Beige
How To Choose A Boat Deck Paint – Buying Guide
Color
While it doesn’t have much to do with performance, color is very important for most of us. Simply put, we want the deck to look nice and blend in. As you’ve had the chance to see, most manufacturers offer paints in many beautiful colors so finding the one you like is easy.
Protection
An important task for the paint is protecting the deck surface. This includes everything from foot traffic in your boat shoes to blocking out UV rays. With this in mind, look for tough but flexible paints that won’t peel or crack (especially if you’re not using a boat cover).
Water Resistance
Since a boat deck comes into contact with a lot of water, the paint needs to be water-resistant. Regular paint would quickly wash away, so we advise that you always buy specialized paint that can withstand weather conditions.
Non-Slip Coating
Providing good traction when walking is the most important job of your non-skid deck paint. Furthermore, it will make using accessories like deck chairs more enjoyable too. Regarding slip-resistance, two things play a role – paint formula and texture.
Quality
The painting process isn’t particularly enjoyable, and most boat owners don’t want to do it every year. Paying attention to the aspects we mentioned will guarantee that the paint will last for many years. Good paints are water and slip-resistant, don’t peel or crack, and look fantastic even after many years.
FAQs
Q: How Should I Prepare My Boat Before Painting?
Before you paint, make sure to remove all the imperfections from the surface (chips and peels). Afterward, degrease and clean the surface and let it dry. Doing this will make your painting job easier and make the result much better.
Q: What Other Accessories Will I Need Besides The Paint?
While most paints we featured are a one-part system, some paints require a primer to improve adhesiveness. Of course, you’ll also need a brush or roller to apply the paint. Lastly, you can use a boat polish to give your vessel some shine once the paint dries.
Q: How Long Does It Take For The Paint To Dry?
The paint should be dry to touch in around 1-2 hours, depending on the type of climate that you are in. However, it’s probably the best idea to avoid walking over it for 24 hours so you don’t ruin the coating.
Q: Can I Paint Over Gelcoat?
Yes, you can paint over gelcoat. If it’s not completely covered with large cracks, you can get fantastic results. However, it requires a bit more preparation that includes a thorough cleaning, using epoxy primer, and sanding the surface.
Q: How To Paint Fiberglass Boat Deck?
Painting fiberglass boat decks is fairly easy if you follow a few simple guidelines. Here’s what you should do:
- Clean the deck (remove debris, rinse with fresh water, leave to dry)
- Apply masking tape (mark the area that you want to paint)
- Paint the deck area
- Leave to dry (up to 7 days before you return elements).
Globo Surf Overview
Painting the deck is an important part of boat maintenance, even though you won’t do it often. Not only does it make your boat look like new, but it also gives you secure footing so you don’t slip. With the boat deck paints from our list, you’ll get that extra safety and enjoy a great-looking deck each time you set out.
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