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 Randy Dersham on January 21, 2009 at 4:44pm


In this photo the 15ft double ender on the left is Cody Simmons personal boat. It is a brand new replica of a historic 15ft double ender he took the lines from. It is finished with a historic home made oil recipe on the inside. The boat just to it's right is a 1950's double ender owned by Shelley Pruitt. It is finished with oil inside and out. Notice that over time the oil has darkened. The oiled boats earn that dark look with time and sun.
Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on January 21, 2009 at 2:34pm
First, I know nothing. Having established that, I have a question about Toplac and other similar paints, which I think are called "topside" paints. When I look at the product literature for these paints, it always says the paint is "for use above the true waterline." So, how does the stuff hold up on the side of a drift boat, part of which is certainly under water?
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on January 21, 2009 at 5:09pm
Jonathan,

Randy probably has your answer. But, My reasoning is- I have been using an exterior latex house paint on the outside of one of my boats. No problems, and it holds up. Plus a new coat is cheap, goes on easliy and looks great after!
Keep in mind, my boats are stored in a garage and covered when not in use. I keep them dry out of the water.

That said, I bet toplac holds up quite a bit better than my cheap old latex.
Permalink Reply by sanderson on January 21, 2009 at 5:43pm
Toplac holds up very well on the drift boats. "topside" paints are for use above the waterline because they are not a Antifouling paint. Interlux makes paint for yachts that are in the water at all times so they need a different paint for at and below the waterline. The "topside" paints are very strong but can't hold up properly to being in salt water all the time. i also like Interlux brightside. it is similar to toplac but comes is brighter colors.

here is a link to interlux painting guide for topsides.
http://www.yachtpaint.com/USA/boat_painting_guide/pdf/topsides/perf...
Permalink Reply by Jonathan Clarke on January 21, 2009 at 7:17pm
Now I understand! Thanks!
Permalink Reply by Greg Hatten on January 25, 2009 at 5:52pm
A little correction... it was Robb Sipler that had a black and tan that I admired... Dan Burr has a light colored boat that looks great as a contrast to the wood... are you up for building a whole "fleet"??
Permalink Reply by Craig Simon on January 27, 2009 at 11:33am
Jason,
As a fellow Michigander, I have to give you my worthless opinion. It's hard to explain exactly why, but I suspect you may regret it if you elect to paint the boat. While many painted boats are very nice looking (including several on this site), there's something unique, unusual, eye-catching, etc.... about a clear finish on a wooden boat. I say, "SHOW OFF YOUR WOOD!" Then again, I could be off my rocker. Go with your gut.
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on January 27, 2009 at 2:37pm
Craig,
I appreciate the opinion. There is certainly something unusual/unique about clear finished drift boats, especially because there aren't that many in our neck of the woods... I saw a bright finished boat on the Pere Marquette last fall from atop a steep hill, and it caught my eye and had to move to another ridge to get a better view... it was awesome. I am starting to lean that way. Thanks for the input.
Permalink Reply by Herb Jacobsen on January 28, 2009 at 9:32am
I painted the outside of my boats with Poly porch and deck enamel. It held up well. The boat in the picture was on its 18th trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon. Three of my boats were varnished on the inside, I liked the contrast with the paint. I kept the color combination for years as people knew who it was when I was on the river. Medium green and an orange batter board.

The bright boats are really nice to look at if the wood is good. My boats were outside all the time so the paint worked better for me. By the way, that is Greg Tatman in the front of my boat. He came on one of our trips on the MF. The Rapid is called 1st Slide.
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Permalink Reply by Sandy Pittendrigh on January 30, 2009 at 5:30am
One trouble (not mentioned above) with Linear Polyurethanes is toxicity.
If I have this right, you shouldn't spray those paints without a serious
mask of some kind--perhaps even a forced air breather.

I don't like to use any paint I have to order and wait for.
I either go down to the paint store and buy and expensive, high-quality
exterior alkydb-based porch-deck-siding paint, or a get use an automotive
finish (DuPont usually) I get mixed up at the local autoparts store.

These are boats were're talking about. Not display furniture.
If they don't get knocked around and beat up, you're not using them
enough.
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on January 30, 2009 at 10:17am
Yeah this is a good point. Probably after a few dings and scratches it hurts a little less... : )
Permalink Reply by Herb Jacobsen on January 30, 2009 at 1:29pm
Perhaps I was wrong on what the paint was but I usually got it from Ace Hardware. I am pretty sure it was listed as Polyurethane porch and deck enamel. I always used a roller when I painted the outside of my boats and then brushed the inside.

Sure after a year of use they always needed to be cleaned up before heading to Idaho. Most of the stuff was superficial, scratches and such. Low water years in Idaho and you are gooing to hit rocks, there is no getting around it. When we had to dead head down to Indian Bar, you knew you were going to hit 2 out of 3.......

The worst was when some guys showed up with spiked wading boots. These guys got in the boat before I could put some mats down and tore up the floor boards.

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