Painting my Houseboat.

by Ann
(Kansas City, Missouri)

How to go about painting my houseboat? I have a 1967 houseboat at the Lake of the Ozarks. I want to paint it, but not sure what type of paint to buy. Do I have to buy marine paint or will house paint work? I don't have a motor in my boat, so it stays permanently docked. Basically, it's a cabin on the lake.

I'm wanting to paint it red and white like a bobber, since that's all it does! I've decided to name it "Aqua-holic Bob." I wasn't too crazy about the previous name, "Old Farts".
Thanks, Ann.


Reply - Answer
Well Ann, that's a great question because houseboat painting is a great way to improve and increase the value. I'm also sure this it will generate many comments from our reader's.

We can look at this from two sides of the coin, if I was a Marine Paint manufacturer, you would mostly likely get a technical sales pitch type answer.

Houseboats are exposed to the elements (rain, sun, cold, heat, salt, acid rain etc...) and therefore are subjected to a humid harsh environment.

Houseboats are also made from different materials like fiberglass, steel, aluminum, wood, etc... and each one may require different surface preparation, and a different paint.

If you're just looking to inexpensively protect and improve the appearance of an older houseboat, than you're local Home Building center can probably recommend a great exterior paint.

If you're painting a newer expensive houseboat, than I maybe more inclined to use marine paint that matches and bonds well to the existing paint.

Now before I get blasted from Marine Paint manufacturers, I have painted many houseboats with products like Alwgrip, Interlux, International, Pettit, and 3M Marine paints, and I have had excellent results from all of them.

Now whether a marine paint, or a exterior home paint, which lasts longer, or shines more, that could become a huge technical discussion.

If you're interested in marine paints, I have personally had great results from this marine paint, and it's simple to apply.

Lastly, hopefully some of our readers will share and post comments about their houseboat painting experiences.


IAN - from www.all-about-houseboats.com