Buying the best paint for a fiberglass boat can be somewhat confusing, right? Especially where there are a lot of colors out there in the market.
However, if you know your stuff and understand what you are looking for, buying the paint may be more comfortable. First, you'll have to determine the purpose you want the paint. Then choose one which will serve that purpose the best.
In this article, I'll provide you with a list of 10 best paints for using your boat's fiberglass. It doesn't matter whether you are a non-professional or a professional; all of these ten points can serve your painting purposes. So, you should not get puzzled, seeing hundreds of paints in the market as you are guaranteed to get the best one if once you follow my guide.
Moreover, I recommend that you read through the full review before deciding which one you will buy. Paints come at a different color, quality, and price. Unless you go through the full report, you won't understand which one will truly satisfy your requirement.
What is fiberglass boat paint?
Fiberglass boat paint is a type of special paint. The producers generally produce it for boat exposure. It is a type of renowned product for being outstanding on fiberglass objects. The producers usually develop it for coating on boats or vessels.
The paint is highly durable and resistant to rough weather conditions. You can typically use it to unpainted fiberglass boats. It is a well-known interior water-resistant paint around the world.
What are the different types of fiberglass boat paints?
Let’s now explore the type of paint would you use to paint?
Single Part Paints
Included in these are in the shape of polyurethanes that might be auspiciously implemented in a manual technique. We know such a program procedure as rolling and tipping.
This technique works by one individual rolling onto the paint while another individual is cleaning outside or hammering the paint with the assistance of a sterile brush’s suggestion.
Whether this technique is achieved correctly, this works well, just like spraying. Take note that excellent thinning is very crucial to lead to a smooth task.
Double-Part Paints
Likewise, This Type of Paint may be sprayed. But it’s crucial to make sure the spray goes, and some items that will not be painted must be correctly masked off.
Occasionally, the equipment can also be rented. We highly commend these to be the most outstanding paints regarding gloss retention and sturdiness. They are rather thin and especially require several coats. But these are hardened to quite a sturdy finish that is capable of supplying long-standing support.
Additionally, the majority of these paints are produced for various professional applications and uses. A number is poisonous and stringently calls for spray booth and positive pressure mask if implementing the painting project. And, this really is illegal to be performed at home.
Consistent with this, a number of those paints were devised to be applied through just rolling and tipping. A good deal of manufacturers has created water-based two-part paint methods that might be tidied up using water.
It’s worth considering that suitable strand preparation for these kinds of paints is much more inflexible when compared with one-part paints, mainly because of the thinness of every jacket. Paint can’t conceal the Impurities; for truth, this could only emphasize them.

If you do not have patience or time to read through the full guide, I want you to get back. The best paint I can suggest for you to buy right now would be the Interlux YBB359/1 Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling Paint.

In this fiberglass paint review, I'm going to show all the features these paints offer to their owners. Lastly, I'll review my opinion if you should invest your money in this paint or not.
Here are the ten best fiberglass paints you can choose to paint your boat. So, let's get started with our review.
best fiberglass boat paints Product Chart
Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Interlux YBB359/1 Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling Paint - Green, Gallon | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | TotalBoat Wet Edge Marine Topside Paint for Boats, Fiberglass, and Wood (Aqua Mist, Quart) | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | Rust-Oleum, Bright Red 207004 Marine Coatings Topside Paint, Quart, 1 | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | TotalBoat-Wet Edge Marine Topside Paint for Boats, Fiberglass, and Wood (Fire Red, Gallon) | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | TotalBoat TotalBilge Epoxy Based Bilge Paint for Boat Bilges, Bulkheads, Engine Rooms and Locker Areas (Gray, Quart) | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | Duralux M720-1 Marine Paint, White Boat Paint, 1 Gallon | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | TotalBoat- JD Select Bottom Paint (Black, Quart) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint (Quart, Clear/Amber) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | Rust-Oleum 1979502 Painter's Touch Latex Paint, Quart, Gloss Black, 1 Quart | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
![]() | Interlux Y4359/QT Brightside Polyurethane Paint - White, Quart | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | TotalBoat Wet Edge Marine Topside Paint for Boats, Fiberglass, and Wood (Blue-Glo White, Quart) | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | Sea Hawk 2145GL Tropikote Black Gl | Prime | Buy Now | |
![]() | Durabak Marine Liner Kit - DIY Non-Slip Deck Floor Coating, Polyurethane Boat Paint, 1 Coat Textured, 1 Coat Smooth, Used by US Navy, one Part, Easy Application (Light Gray, 2 Quarts - 30sq.ft) | Prime | Buy Now |
Interlux YBB359/1 Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling Paint - Green, Gallon
- Optimizes the benefits of hard and ablative paints through a unique Dual Resin approach
- Coating prevents premature wear-through yet a slow polishing action minimizes unnecessary paint build-up
- Surface continuously smoothes with use, providing a fast, fuel efficient coating
- Cost effective choice for all power and sail boats and in all waters
- Paint Color: Green
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We have decided to keep Interlux YBB359/1 Fiberglass Bottomkote NT Antifouling Paint on the first choice on our list. It contains a dual resin technology that provides a universally durable and fast drying antifouling paint. It offers the benefits of both hard and ablative antifouling paints for use on all power and sailboats.
The manufacturers recommend the Fiberglass Bottomkote to use on the marine areas of fiberglass, wood, and properly primed metal (except aluminum) boat hulls. You can also use it in fresh, salty, and brackish waters.
The universal formula of Fiberglass Bottomkote NT has more extended durability than traditional hard paint but has a slow polishing mechanism. It continuously smoothes and renews the active surface avoiding massive paint layers like an ablative paint.
As the paint dries up fast, you can paint and launch the boat on the same day. Fiberglass Bottomkote NT ensures clean, stable colors and adequate season-long protection.
Pros
Cons
TotalBoat Wet Edge Marine Topside Paint for Boats, Fiberglass, and Wood
- DURABLE, HIGH-GLOSS MARINE GRADE PAINT provides a beautiful, scratch resistant, chemical resistant, uv resistant finish with maximum color and gloss retention
- EASY TO APPLY: 1-Part formula provides professional results with just a brush and roller (roll & tip method); can also be applied by spraying; for use above the waterline
- SELF-LEVELING, ABRASION RESISTANT POLYURETHANE FINISH is easy to clean & resists staining; will not fade, crack, or peel; easy to touch up; ideal for power boat hulls, sailboat hulls, campers, RV exteriors, doors and trim
- VERSATILE TOPSIDE PAINT: Wet Edge looks great on fiberglass, wood, metals, and previously painted surfaces; not for continuous submersion on boat bottoms that remain in the water longer than 72 hours
- CHOOSE FROM 21 POPULAR HIGH GLOSS COLORS in Pints, Quarts & Gallons. Coverage: 350-400 sq. ft./gal. (White, Black & Gray also available in flat finish). Primer: TotalBoat Topside Primer or TotalProtect (metals)
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
TotalBoat Wet Edge Marine Topside Paint is in second place on our list. It ensures to get a hard, high-gloss finish with superior resistance to UV damage, abrasion, and stains.
It's also flexible enough to resist all the movement (flexing, expansion, contraction) hulls & other topside surfaces. It can also undergo the ever-changing weather conditions, making it very flexible & durable.
There are a lot of colors that can please almost everyone: (Top to bottom) Sand Beige, Kingston Gray, Flag Blue, Bristol Beige, Fighting Lady Yellow, Blu-Glo White, Sea Foam, Black, Sea Green, White, Fire Red, Largo Blue, Yellow, Hatteras Off-White, and Classic Whaler Blue.
If you want to get your expected color, you can blend different Wet Edge colors to create your own. We prefer Wet Edge for its high-gloss finish, but a few colors are also available in a flat finish.
Moreover, you can use TotalBoat marine-grade paints & varnishes for your home that ensure durability and elegant finishes. The excellent finishing makes your front doors, trim, and outdoor furniture good looking.
Pros
Cons
Rust-Oleum 207004 Marine Topside Paint, Bright Red, 1-Quart
- Ideal for use on fiberglass, wood or metal surfaces above the waterline
- Oil-based formula is flexible and applies easily with excellent leveling
- Dries to the touch in as little as 1 to 2 hours and covers up to 100 sq ft
- Durable coating resists abrasion and extreme weather conditions and provides long-lasting UV protection
- Superior gloss retention and smooth finish help maintain the beauty and elegance of your surfa
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We have included Rust-Oleum 207004 Marine Topside Paint in the third place on our list. The manufacturers make it from a modified alkyd, which allows for a flexible coating durable in extreme weather conditions. It is also highly resistant to cracking, chipping, and peeling.
Rust-Oleum marine coatings topside paint offers long-lasting protection and a brilliant finish on fiberglass, wood, or metal above the waterline.
Also, it provides gloss retention and UV resistance in extreme weather conditions. It contains a flexible formula, and so it is easy to apply the paint.
You can easily paint it with a roller. It is highly suitable for small pleasure crafts, including speedboats, sailboats, and fishing boats, for its excellent color retention and UV protection. As the paint is sticky enough, so before applying, you must use a glove to avoid glue.
The paint is considerably cost-effective, and so you should not bother about it. Avoid application in direct sunlight and start early enough so that the paint dries up before the sunsets.
Pros
Cons
TotalBoat TotalBilge Paint White Gallon
We have decided to keep TotalBoat TotalBilge Paint on our list of choices. Total Bilge is an epoxy-based Bilge paint you can use to protect Bilge, bulkhead, and locker areas. It can undergo harmful marine elements like heat, humidity, mildew, grease, and grime.
You can easily apply this 1 part paint that provides superior coverage with a hard surface finish. It does not allow stain or mildew. If you decide to choose Grey or White one, you will find them in quart and gallon.
Keep in mind that a hard-wearing finish is necessary to prevent oil and sludge from being absorbed into and damaging wood or fiberglass.
There are some regular marine paints marketed as being suitable for bilges are not up to the task.
Total Bilge's high-performance alkyd resin finish offers a hard rock surface that lasts for years. It's much suitable for engine rooms, chain lockers, and other wet areas on aluminum, steel, and wooden boats.
Pros
Cons
Duralux M720-4 Marine Paint, White Boat Paint, 1 Quart
We have included Duralux M720-4 Marine Paint on our product list. Duralux Aluminum Boat Paint is a vinyl-type coating that you can use on aluminum and galvanized surfaces.
As the manufacturers initially design Duralux for commercial & pleasure boats, its coat has expanded to include most onshore and offshore applications where we need marine grade protection from harsh exposures.
Besides, you can use it on equipment, onshore and offshore oil rigs, bridges, tanks, and most other structural objects. Duralux offers a complete line of high-performance products from coal tar epoxy to marine spar varnish that we regard as the industry standard.
It can fight against rust and corrosion under moderate exposure to salt water, fuel oils, and harsh cleaning solutions.
It has excellent adhesion qualities that eliminate priming, deducting almost half of your labor. You can wash the paint quickly, and it resists oil, gasoline, and discoloration from harbor gases. Different colors of Duralux in the market can satisfy the most discriminating boat owner's eye.
Pros
Cons
TotalBoat JD Select Bottom Paint
TotalBoat JD Select Bottom Paint is also a Product that we have decided to keep on our list. It is a water-based ablative antifouling Bottom paint that contains a medium copper biocide load to prevent barnacles for a full season from making your hull their home.
The producers have designed it to help shed slime while preventing paint buildup on the surface.
It is effortless to apply the paint by brush, roller, or spray. It contains a unique water-based formula that ensures easy cleaning with soap and water.
It is much suitable for you and better for the marine environment. Its medium copper content keeps barnacles away just with a single coat in low to moderate fouling waters.
Since TotalBoat JD Select has low VOCs and low odor, it doesn't stink like solvent-based Bottom paint. Moreover, because of its high-solids content, one coat is good enough for full-season protection.
It is an ideal paint for fiberglass and wooden boats in salt and freshwater.
Pros
Cons
RTG Deck, Porch, Patio Anti-Slip Paint (Quart, Light Gray)
We have also decided to keep RTG Deck, Porch, and Patio Anti-Slip Paint on our list. RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint are available in four neutral shades of Sand, Light Gray, White, or a rich, Clear/Amber.
RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint has a softer non-slip texture, and the cost is under your reach. All RTG products provide excellent results and very easy to apply.
You can decorate your furniture according to your intention with its reliable coverage and scuff resistance. RTG Deck, Porch, & Patio Anti-Slip Paint can make your outdoor spaces beautiful, easy, and affordable.
You can easily apply this fast-drying, DIY-friendly paint with a brush or roller and cleans up easily with soap & water. Moreover, its eco-friendly, low-VOC formula has very little odor, so you can undoubtedly use it in your living spaces outdoors or indoors.
It makes the surfaces not only beautiful but also slip-resistant even when the cover is wet.
Pros
Cons
Interlux Y4359/QT Brightside Polyurethane Paint - White, Quart
We have also included Interlux Y4359/QT Brightside Polyurethane Paint on our list. It is one of the eminent and high-performance yachts and marine coating. It began its journey in 1881. It offers the highest care for all kinds of vessels and is an integral part of boat building and maintenance.
It supplies high-performance boat paint, yacht coating, and marine products. It has gained much reputation for manufacturing the highest quality finishes in boat building and maintenance.
Nowadays, Interlux offers a wide range of products to make your marine application easy. Interlux Brightside Polyurethane is the most technically advanced one-part polyurethane coating.
It contains unique additives that ensure cleaning more comfortable and help reduce stains and abrasion.
It also offers excellent application on surfaces above the waterline.
For assuring high-gloss retention, Brightside contains Poly flow 4000 resins and surface stabilizers. It also resists the stain and provides added abrasion resistance. Interlux Brightside is highly suitable for hulls, decks, exterior/interior cabins, and trim.
Pros
Cons
Tropikote Bottom Paint Sea Hawk
Tropikote Bottom Paint is one of the products that we have kept on our list. The Sea Hawk Tropikote is a type of hard antifouling Bottom paint that contains over 75% cuprous oxide. The producers design it to fight against any water condition. You can use it undoubtedly for over-coating.
It contains a better color consistency that helps you in color matching. Also, it possesses a Consistent viscosity that ensures better flow and rolling ability of the paint. It offers a soft finish that protects various damages due to the sun, water, and salt spray.
If you want to get a flawless gloss that can endure rough weather, it would be perfect. It can obviously ensure you a bright, beautiful, and shiny finish. Besides, it combats aggressively against all types of fouling and reduces hull maintenance with year-round trouble-free performance.
Moreover, it offers excellent adhesion to fiberglass, wood, and steel hulls. Since the paint is compatible and adequately prepared for hard Bottom, it ensures safe overcoating without fear of lifting.
Pros
Cons
Durabak Marine Liner Kit - DIY Wood, Fiberglass Boat Paint
Durabak Marine Liner Kit is one of the products that we have kept on our list. The manufacturers typically design it to bond wood, metal, concrete, fiberglass, aluminum, and painted surfaces.
You can generally use it to coat and protect everything from Decks to Docks to Floors, to T-tops, to cabins, and engine rooms where you don't want to slip.
It ensures a superb coating for boat decks, boat interiors, vehicle exteriors, and many surfaces that make sure powerful protection against the harmful elements. You can generally apply it with a brush, roller, or spray. Your boat may get hurt in time of usage, and it may cause any amount of damage.
Durabak can reduce wear and tear and preserve your boat for a long time. It can also protect and secure everything from commercial ship decks, ramps, catwalks and loading docks to smaller fishing boat interiors, and so on.
Durabak is more powerful than a conventional surface coating. The first coat removes the roughness and second coat smoothen the surface but provides ultimate slip-resistant.
Pros
Cons
Why do you need to paint a fiberglass boat?
Typically, the boat owners use paint to their boats for various reasons. The boat owners' primary objective is to apply the best color to provide the most cherished vessel.
Nowadays, as ships are rather expensive, we recommend you to purchase the right products, tools, and equipment to ensure their safety and longevity. A renowned paint contributes significantly to safeguarding the materials in your vessel.
It helps restrain mold and mildew accumulation and avoids water leakage onto the boat hull. Moreover, it makes the fiberglass look more glossy and impressive. Furthermore, it makes your vessel more attractive and expensive.
Why do you need paint for fiberglass boat? (Benefits)
Taking good care and care for your fiberglass vessel is difficult. It might really be rather demanding, expensive, and hard at precisely the exact same moment. However, because your most precious vessel is just one of the resources of your joy, it’s only right that you supply it with the essential protection it deserves.
In the end, doing the painting or repainting job will help you to protect your boat from whatever can lead to critical harm to it.
If you aspire to spend more pleasure and thrilling occasions together with your own fiberglass boat, then you want to think about repainting or painting it today.
The main reason it is extremely sensible and helpful to revive your fiberglass vessel by repainting or painting is that you can appreciate a lot of advantages in the long term. Doing this will help you and your fiberglass vessel in a lot of such as:
Give your fiberglass vessel a fresh appearance, allow it to increasingly more durable, and be protected by different environmental components, rust, and other environmental attacks, which could cause serious damages.
Make boat maintenance and care a less stressful endeavor that you take care of.
Expand the life span of your ship and increase its own performance.
Help tocreate your fiberglass boat seems in its best and very different from its previous appearance and fashion.
How to paint a fiberglass boat
All types of paintings do not require the same procedure. Fiberglass boats look tremendous, and their Gelcoat usually works as a resistance.
If you use your boat for a long time, it gets rough, and in some cases, it may undergo different types of injuries. In the situation, you need to paint them to restore their shiny look.
If you want to do it yourself, you have to have much patience because it will take some time. Before starting, you should check the hull, and if there are any cracks or holes, you must repair them using putty. You have to include the sanding phase also in this preparation process.
The second step is to apply an epoxy layer to strengthen and protect the fiberglass surface. Apply the primer layer after drying the epoxy layer, wait until it dry, and then sand the surface. Eventually, start painting the boat using ablative anti-fouling paint.

Before painting the boat, you have to take some preparation. Initially, it may take your time to prepare, but it will save your time and money in the future. The followings are the essential options for preparations-

Step 1: Clean the boat thoroughly
You should do it every time whenever you take the boat out. You have to use a high-pressure hose, some rags, and even a scrapper. Whenever you clean the boat, you should rinse it thoroughly.
Never allow soap to stay on the boat. Moreover, if you want to use Durabak, you'll have to wash down the surface with a non-chlorinated household detergent, such as Spic N Span.
Step 2: Remove all hardware
You should try to remove all equipment to ensure a smooth and clean paint job. If you fail to remove something, cover it with painter's tape to protect it.
Step 3: Use a solvent to remove the wax coating
If you find the waxy finish on your boat, you must attempt to remove it before painting. Typically, paint does not stick to a slippery surface.
Step 4: Repair the boat's surface
You have to repair the boat's surface if there are any cracks, nicks, or corrosion. In this case, you need to fill any holes with a marine-grade epoxy, which can find most hardware stores.
Step 5: Sand the boat
80-grit sandpaper is suitable to sand the boat's surface. At first, you have to remove all the old paint. If you wish to use Durabak boat paint, stick to roughing up the fiberglass surface with 40-grit sandpaper instead. 36-grit sandpaper is good enough for the areas with epoxy.
What are the most trusted boat color brands?
Remember, the excellent result of the paint job will completely depend on the type of paint you use to get the job done.
So, if you don’t want your hard work and money to be wasted, try investing it in high-quality boat paint.
Fortunately, the brands below are just a few incredible options that can help you get the job done in a good way.
- Rust-Oleum
- TotalBoat
- Interlux
- Flexdel
Closing Word
There are a lot of people who are looking for the best paint for Fiberglass Boat. That is why I would like to provide you with all the necessary information to make the right choice.
Whatever your purpose is, you should choose the right type of paint to give you satisfaction in painting activities. They come up with different qualities, colors, and actions. But remember that all kinds of paints do not equally suit for your expected purposes.
However, I have reviewed some of the best paints available on the market, and we hope you will find the information useful. If you ever decide to purchase one of these paints, it will help you decide which one would be suitable.
If you find this information helpful, please spread the good news with your family and friends in making a perfect choice.
Before painting, you have to scuff up the epoxy with 36-grit sandpaper. If you don't want to use a primer, you can wipe down the surface with Xylene (aka Xylol - more info here). You should mix your paint according to the direction of the manufacturer. Finally, you can apply the first layer with a paint roller.
It is not so much different to paint fiberglass boats than painting wooden boats. The main difference is the type of paint you'll use and a few details in the prep and application. You can attain the best finish by professionals who spray on the color, rather than applying it with a brush and roller.
Unlike wood, fiberglass surfaces are nonporous that make them unsuitable for spray paint adhesion. Before spraying paint on any type of fiberglass surface, you will have to take specific preparation techniques to suit the fiberglass to accept color, or the finish will peel soon after application.
Acrylic paint adheres well to fiberglass than most other colors. It can overcome the main challenges of painting this material. Acrylic paint does not crack and blister easily and hold up well to cleaning. Moreover, it is effortless to apply this water-based paint, and it contains fewer chemicals. So, it is environmentally friendlier.
You can use two types of paint on a fiberglass boat; one part polyurethane and two-part polyurethane. One part of polyurethane is perfect for the DIY project. You can apply it merely with a paint roller and a foam brush or spray. On the other hand, if two-part polyurethane is thin, it may require multiple coats, but it ensures the most durability and highest gloss retention.
I wanted the use this total marine topside paint on my 21 foot boat trailer simply because it had the color that I wanted (sea foam) and I had used this product before on boats and I love it. I first primed the trailer using the total boat top side primer adding the brushing thinner to it. Then into the paint I used the total boat wet edge adding the brushing thinner. I applied two coats. The paint looked amazing! I wanted to give the trailer an extra layer of protection so I put one coat of por 15 2k urethan clear over top. So far Iv been very happy with the results!
The TotalBoat Wet Edge marine paint amazed me with its ease of application. Despite the excruciatingly long drying time, the wait was well worth it because this best paint for fiberglass canoe would leave a glossy, colorful, and highly damage-resistant finish.