Hi guys. Neighbor has an old fiberglass canoe and I’m going to help her kid fix it up. Needs a lot of work but should be a fun project for us. Obviously the purpose of this isn’t to do something that makes sense financially- but rather to work on this together, have them learn a bit, and have a canoe they can use afterwards.

We’ve got a lot of things we need to do on it refinish aluminum gunwales, build new seats, pressure wash it like a million times- lol - but one for sure is i’d like to repaint this as part of the project- maybe a light blue or light green. What paint would everyone recommend for this- not looking for cheap but rather the “right” paint to make it look good and last.

Thanks in advance!

I used Jamestown Distributors house brand Total Boats Wet Edge. I used it over epoxy/glass, but I am pretty sure it would work fine over polyester resin as well. I highly recommend using the primer. I believe I did thin it 10% to apply with a brush. It turned out very nice. I actually did the primer and only one coat. The stuff covers well and goes on thick.

In the past, for low budget projects, I have had good success with porch and floor enamels. These are tough coatings that can take a lot of abrasion. Color selection is usually limited, however.

I'm a brush person and have accumulated some good brushes- well worth it. Rolling and tipping or spraying works, too. I learned at a young age how to handle a brush for both paint and varnish and seem stuck on it.

I think any oil based paint will work. Paint sold in the big box stores will work for this but they are pretty low on the quality list. Rustoleum products are very popular and also mediocre at best. For this canoe however, I don’t think you’re looking for yacht enamel.

You still might wish to consider a good brand of paint. After all, it’s almost the only thing you see when it’s all done. You might get a diamond in the rough with a few coats of good gloss paint.

Tom

Is there a certain type? Like a gel paint or some mariner paint? Or am I just looking at straight old sherwon Williams or something like that?

You will want a prime coat with whatever paint you use. You could use Rustoleum provided that you can find a color you like. Cured fiberglass is a benign material so any good enamel paint with a prime should do.

I use topside marine paint on canoes and you might find some at a marine store or buy online. Sherwin Williams would certainly be able to offer help but I thought they deal more with latex. I buy some of my canoe materials and my paint from Jamestown Distributors.
Tom

If you know someone that is a bodyshop/ painter, PPG car paint ; it aint cheap, but it doesn't fade either. If you prepped and all the guy has to do is pull the trigger, you'd be more than happy with the finish.