{"id":707,"date":"2013-08-10T10:50:01","date_gmt":"2013-08-10T14:50:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/?p=707"},"modified":"2026-02-10T11:21:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:21:54","slug":"choosing-the-right-boat-paint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/bottom-paint\/choosing-the-right-boat-paint\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing the Right Boat Paint"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"post-updated\"><strong>Last Updated: February 9, 2026<\/strong><!--?php echo get_the_modified_date('F j, Y'); ?--><\/p>\n<p><!-- Quick Recommendation Box: Choosing the Right Boat Paint --><\/p>\n<div class=\"bps-quick-reco\" style=\"border: 1px solid #e5e5e5; border-left: 6px solid #0a6fb5; background: #f8fbff; padding: 16px 18px; margin: 14px 0 22px; border-radius: 8px;\">\n<p style=\"margin: 0 0 8px; font-size: 13px; letter-spacing: .06em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #0a6fb5; font-weight: bold;\">Quick Recommendation<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"margin: 0 0 10px; font-size: 20px; line-height: 1.25;\">Choosing the Right Boat Paint<\/h2>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 18px; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<li><strong>Below the waterline:<\/strong> Use <strong>bottom paint (antifouling)<\/strong> to prevent algae, slime, and marine growth.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Above the waterline:<\/strong> Choose <strong>topside paint or polyurethane<\/strong> for durability, gloss, and UV resistance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Match paint to hull material:<\/strong> Fiberglass, aluminum, and wood each require <strong>compatible primers and coatings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bottom line:<\/strong> The right boat paint depends on <strong>where it\u2019s applied, how the boat is used, and the hull material<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 12px 0 0; color: #555; line-height: 1.5;\"><strong>Tip:<\/strong> Always check compatibility with any existing coatings before switching paint types to avoid adhesion problems.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>There are many different\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-c-13630.html\">boat paints<\/a> and qualities, generally the more you spend the better the results. There are a variety of types including topside and bottom paints. Topside paints are meant to be used above the waterline and will not hold up under water. Bottom Paints (also called antifoulants or antifouling coatings) are pesticides that are only used below the waterline when you are trying to stop growth from occurring while your boat stays in the water over long periods of time.\u00a0 See Related Article&gt;:\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/how-to\/bottom-paint\/bottom-paint-2\/\">Do I need\u00a0Bottom Paint?<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The type of paint you choose for your boat will depend on the type of boat you have and the environment in which it will be used.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main types of boat paint: antifouling and topside. Antifouling paint is designed to prevent marine growth from attaching to the hull of the boat, while topside paint is designed for the superstructure of the boat, such as the deck and cabin.<\/p>\n<p>If you plan on using your boat in saltwater, it is important to choose a paint that is specifically designed for saltwater use. Saltwater is much more corrosive than fresh water, so a saltwater-specific paint will be more durable and longer lasting.<\/p>\n<p>Using your boat in freshwater, will require a different paint. There are a few different types of paint you can choose from. Freshwater-specific paints are available, but they are not necessary if you do not plan on using your boat in saltwater.<\/p>\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-c-13630.html\"><strong>Boat Paints<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Duralux <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/duralux-topside-marine-enamel-high-gloss-gallon-p-10799.html\">High Gloss Marine Enamel <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span>is affordable and easy to apply\u00a0and only recommended for above the waterline or moderate use on the bottom (a day or so in the water, not extended periods). This topside paint works best in very thin coats; see the prep recommendations found on product page on \u201chow to use\u201d tab. Duralux marine enamels\u00a0do have a\u00a0color offering in a flat finish, those are limited to\u00a0their <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-camouflage-paint-by-duralux-c-13630_13691.html\"> camouflage paint <\/a><\/strong><\/span>colors. Marine Alkyd Enamels like Duralux are effective and low cost.<\/p>\n<p>A step up from the marine enamels are polyurethane enamels. These products such as <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blue-water-marine-mega-gloss-polyurethane-gallon-p-33296.html\">Blue Water Marine Mega Gloss\u00a0Polyurethane<\/a>,<\/strong><\/span> <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/interlux-brightside-polyurethane-p-28238.html\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Interlux Brightside<\/span><\/strong><\/a>, \u00a0and <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-pettit-easypoxy-c-13630_14143.html\">Pettit Easypoxy <\/a><\/strong><\/span>have a better flow and gloss.<\/p>\n<p>The best performing and hardest application is either <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/topside-boat-paint-awlgrip-marine-paint-c-13630_13683.html\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Awlgrip or Awlcraft 2000<\/span><\/strong><\/a>.<\/span> These require a more technical application and require the use of proper primers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/gelcoat\/gelcoat-did-not-cure-what-caused-it-and-whats-next\/\">catalyst<\/a> and thinners with each application.<\/p>\n<p>Typically when people discuss bottom paint on a boat they are referring to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-c-13523.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Antifouling paint<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>. Bottom paint prevents growth of organisms that attach to the hull and can affect a vessels speed, performance, and durability when boat is kept in the water for extended periods of time. \u00a0If you don\u2019t have that problem, you may not need bottom paint. Antifouling bottom paint typically has a flat, dull finish that is used below the waterline.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/cukote-selfpolishing-bottom-paint-p-9471.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-909 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/CUKOTE-20131-e1421692963615.jpg\" alt=\"CUKOTE 2013\" width=\"150\" height=\"175\" \/><\/a>There are generally two types of bottom paint both of which have several variations that create a multitude of products in the market place. The two different types or categories of bottom paint include <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-hard-bottom-paint-c-13523_13528.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">hard bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/span> <\/strong>and <strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-selfpolishingablative-bottom-paint-c-13523_13524.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">ablative<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-selfpolishingablative-bottom-paint-c-13523_13524.html\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">bottom paint<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong>. Related Article&gt; <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/how-to\/bottom-paint\/difference-hard-bottom-paint-ablative-bottom-paint\/\">What is the Difference Between Hard and Ablative Bottom Paint.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Once you have selected the type of paint you need, you will need to select a color. The color of your boat should be based on personal preference, but it is important to keep in mind that darker colors will absorb more heat than lighter colors.<\/p>\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-paint\">boat paint<\/a> choice ultimately depends on your budget and which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/boat-bottom-paint-c-13523.html\">boat paint colors<\/a> meet the needs of your boat and usage.<\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"http:\/\/w.sharethis.com\/widget\/?wp=6.9.7\"><\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated: February 9, 2026 Quick Recommendation Choosing the Right Boat Paint Below the waterline: Use bottom paint (antifouling) to prevent algae, slime, and marine growth. Above the waterline: Choose topside paint or polyurethane for durability, gloss, and UV resistance. Match paint to hull material: Fiberglass, aluminum, and wood each require compatible primers and coatings. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,118],"tags":[442,150,488,259,260,151],"class_list":["post-707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bottom-paint","category-topside-paint-how-to","tag-boat-paint","tag-boat-paint-choices","tag-boat-paint-colors","tag-choose-boat-paint","tag-how-to-choose-boat-paint","tag-the-right-boat-paint"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=707"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4166,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/707\/revisions\/4166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bottompaintstore.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}