Dark Paint on Wood Drift Boats

So I have been tinkering with the idea of painting the outside of the hull on my boat. I am in no way committed to this idea yet, but I have been doing a little reading on the topic. Chances are still very good when I get to that point, I will be doing a bright finish varnish exterior.

Here is an excerpt from the System Three Epoxy book regarding painting boats with their LPU paints. (linear polyurethane)

Because of the ultra high gloss of LPU paints any imperfection
in the substrate will show in the finished coating. The tendency
of the alkyd paints to dull to a semi-gloss finish over time can
hide some of the flaws that might otherwise mar an LPU finish.
However, if your project is perfect and you are willing to spend
the time and care required to use LPU paints the results can be
spectacular.

Use any color you want so long as it is light. If you paint a
wood boat with a dark color and use it in the summer sun you
are going to experience a number of problems. First, you’ll get
“print through ”. This is the telegraphing of the cloth weave or
wood grain pattern to the glossy painted surface. Second, you’ll
see what appears to be shrinkage of the epoxy resin (microballoon
putty over screw holes, for example.)

So what's the deal with them saying a dark color is a bad choice for a wooden boat? I mean I have looked at quite a few darker painted boats on this forum, and wonder if you guys have had any of the described problems? I think darker colors can have a nice contrast with the wood interiors...

Randy, I know you guys had the red boat - did you use Interlux Toplac on that boat? I know that is a one part paint... Maybe this is a problem specific to their System Three two part paints?

At any rate, I should be working, but this seemed worthwhile...
Let me know your thoughts....

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Permalink Reply by Sandy Pittendrigh on January 30, 2009 at 3:14pm
Ah, well that's good stuff.
Linear Polyurethane (mentioned in the opening post) generally refers to wildly expensive
stuff that comes in two parts, with a separate catalyst/hardener. Regular one-part polyurethane's
are fine. What is the difference between alkyd-based exterior house paint and a one
part polyurethane? Good question. But both are good paints for boats.

Expensive, ordered-from-afar, specialized boat paints are probably even better yet.
But not a whole lot better.
Permalink Reply by Ross Duncan on January 30, 2009 at 3:26pm
I used a top quality enamel paint on the first few boats, did fine, but I have changed to interlux top side and like it much better. I think the actual paint surface is smoother and easier to clean.

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