Last Updated: February 17, 2026
Quick Recommendation
Which Non-Antifouling Paint Is Recommended for Wood?
- Above the waterline: Use a marine topside polyurethane or enamel designed for wood for durability and UV resistance.
- Prime first: Apply a marine wood primer or epoxy sealer to improve adhesion and protect against moisture.
- Flexible coatings matter: Wood expands and contracts—choose paints formulated to handle movement.
- Bottom line: The best non-antifouling paint for wood is a marine-grade topside system applied over proper wood prep and priming.
Tip: If the wood will remain submerged for extended periods, non-antifouling paint is not appropriate—consider a compatible bottom paint system instead.
Painting a wooden boat on your own can be a daunting task. The amount of information about the correct way to paint a boat is staggering! First-time boat owners may be at a loss when trying to make a plan for their first project. The Bottom Paint Store’s aim is to make this process as stress-free as possible so you can enjoy working on your boat and ultimately, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
If your boat stays in the water and growth is a concern you’ll want to use an antifouling paint for below the waterline and follow the manufacturers specs for application to a wood hull. See application instructions of ablative antifouling:
Step 1 – CLEAN SURFACE
Surface must be clean, dry and free of contaminants.
Step 2 – SAND & CLEAN
Sand to a uniformly frosty, dull looking surface with 80-100 grit (no finer)
sandpaper; remove any residue.
Step 3 – APPLY ANTIFOULANT
Apply two coats of Sea Hawk antifouling by brush, roller or spray.
Apply first coat thinned 20% and let dry overnight. Apply two more
coats of bottom paint allowing 3 to 6 hours between coats and a
minimum overnight dry.*
Other Paint Products for Single Day Use
Here are some other products that are not recommended for long-term submersion but can be applied to wood-hulled boats.
Interlux Pre-Kote and Interlux Brightside
For other Helpful “How To” Articles about Topside Boat Paint, Click one of the links below.