How to Paint the Inside of Boat

Painting the interior of your boat when needed will help to protect the interior from water damage, mildew and mold, particularly on surfaces where water may accumulate by condensation, like the head---from showers---and the bilge.
Painting the interior can also make small interior spaces seem larger, if lighter colors are chosen. A good paint job requires good preparation and good materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Anti-mildew primer
  • Good quality water-based exterior latex paint for interior spaces
  • Good quality marine paint for bilges
  • Cheap paintbrushes
  • Wire brush
  • Paper tape or duct tape
  • All-purpose liquid cleaner
  • Rags
  • Sponges and scrubbing pads
  • Spackling compound
  • 0 or 00 sandpaper
  • Oil absorbent pads to clean any oil or grease from bilges
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Instructions

  1. How to Paint the Inside of a Boat

    • 1

      Surface preparation is the key to a good job. Use the wire brush to level uneven spots. Scrub, sand, wipe down with rags soaked in fresh water; then scrub, sand and wipe down again.
      Use spackling compound to fill in holes or cracks on interior walls.
      Clean up oil or grease in bilges with oil absorbent pads prior to surface preparation.

    • 2

      Apply a good coat of the anti-mildew primer. There are several popular brands and all will do a good job.

    • 3

      Open all windows, doors and hatches to ventilate the interior. Water-based exterior latex does not produce noticeable fumes like an oil or enamel base paint, but ventilation will shorten drying time.

    • 4

      Do not paint any rubber or composition gaskets, seals or dampers; they must stay flexible to do their intended job. Mask gaskets, seals, dampers, metalwork or brightwork to be left unpainted with paper tape or duct tape.

    • 5

      Paint the boat interior in the following order: the head, first; the bilge, second; common areas of the interior, next; then the galley and cockpit or wheelhouse.
      Painting the head first means the paint in "the facilities" will be dry first, should you need to use the head during the rest of the painting project.