How to Fleck Paint a Fiberglass Boat

Proper boat maintenance should be a concern of every boat owner. Fiberglass boats require customized care when it comes to maintaining the paint job. Unlike metal-core boats, fiberglass boats are painted with gel coats, instead of acrylic-based paints. Over time, the gel coat can corrode or wear off. Learn how to reapply a new coat of fleck paint to your fiberglass boat to help keep it in tiptop condition.

Things You'll Need

  • Adhesive tape
  • Cloth rag
  • Wax remover
  • Fiberglass epoxy
  • Handheld sander
  • 60-grit sandpaper disk
  • 80-grit sandpaper disk
  • Bucket
  • Mild detergent
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Fiberglass primer
  • Paint pan
  • Paintbrush
  • Fleck paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the fiberglass boat in a well-ventilated area. Paints and primers emit toxic fumes that can be hazardous if inhaled for a long period of time. Remove any detachable components from the boat. Cover any remaining components that won’t be painted using adhesive tape.

    • 2

      Clean the fiberglass boat thoroughly using a cloth rag and a wax-removing product. Use circular hand motions to wipe the surface of the boat. Start at the front of the boat and work toward the rear to prevent missing sections of the boat.

    • 3

      Apply a 60-grit sandpaper disk to the handheld sander. Sand the surface to remove any paint left on the boat. Replace the 60-grit sandpaper disk with an 80-grit sandpaper disk. Sand the fiberglass surface again.

    • 4

      Clean the surface of the boat using a soapy-water solution made of warm water and a mild detergent. Dip a clean cloth into the bucket of soapy water. Wipe the surface of boat from top to bottom. Dry it using a clean microfiber cloth.

    • 5

      Inspect the entire surface of the boat. Look for holes and dents. With the boat stripped of paint, you can repair any cracks or dings in the fiberglass at this point. Apply fiberglass epoxy to the cracks or holes you find. Allow the epoxy to dry for at least two hours.

    • 6

      Pour fiberglass primer into a shallow paint pan. Apply the fiberglass primer to the surface of the boat using a thick paintbrush. Use vertical strokes to cover the entire area to be painted with the fiberglass primer. Allow the primer to dry.

    • 7

      Pour your fleck paint into a shallow paint pan. Dip a clean paintbrush into the fleck paint. Use vertical strokes to paint the surface of the fiberglass boat. Wait 30 minutes and apply a second coat of paint. Allow the paint to air-dry. Remove the adhesive tape. Reattach any detachable components you previously removed.