Paint type for the bilge

[Celestialsailor]

I recently started a thread asking for help with an old old diesel spill in the boat I purchase a month back. There were some great suggestions for cleaning. One person stated that the smell went completely away after painting the bilge.

In the past I have met a few people who have painted their bilges. One told me he used Por 15. A urethane product that I have used on machinery. It dries hard and it very durable. Another person on this form said he uses Rustloleum (with acetone thinner and Varathane accelerator) for his bilge and was satisfied with the results.
I have never been convienced that a product labled "Marine" is much different from a "Non Marine" product, other than an exorbitant cost.
I would like to hear what others have tried and the results.

[Sailmonkey]

I use plain old grey rustoleum enamel. It’s been 10 years and it’s still in the same spot I left it.

[djousset]

I asked a similar question not long ago, search the thread "Should you paint the bilge"
Some good information.

[SV Siren]

I have seen many posts about Rustoleum, and how people used it, with good longterm results. I went with Primekote and Bilgekote so I cannot give my personal suggestions as to alternatives.

What I will say, I am not a fan of using grey paint, as I prefer white, it brightens up the bilge, but I have seen some pretty interesting color choices, from light greens to light blues, etc, as you can have Rustoleum mixed to a endless choice in colors.

[Ken Z]

I have used rustoleum grey thinned a little with xylene and it works and holds up well, 2 nd coat very little thinning, cost effective.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I use plain old grey rustoleum enamel. It’s been 10 years and it’s still in the same spot I left it.

This was on fiberglass?

[BlackHeron]

Whatever you decide to try always think about plan B and what you will do when it starts peeling up and something else needs to be done.

Chips of paint and bilge pumps dont mix. And you can't just paint over a failing paint coating with just anything. Paints need to be compatible. Do your research and know what is compatible with what and what yiur future options are next time covering what you are now using.

Going back to that expensive but effective marine 2-part coating may not be possible over the cheap econo-failure without Completely sanding/grinding every trace of the underlying failed paint treatment. There are some special primers that can be used sometimes but if the underlying coat is peeling it's gotta be completely removed, a primer isn't going to help that no matter how good it is.


After removing failed paint attempts from really PITA areas I will never again go cheap or use a 1-part paint anywhere on a boat again. It just isn't worth it.

Also, read the damn instructions. If they are too hard to read on the can or the box then download the instructions and paperwork available online. Most painting issues are from doing stuff or mixing components that the manufacturer already told you wont work right there in the literature.

[guyrj33]

painted with Bilgecoat years ago, still looks good.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

This was on fiberglass?

Yep, cleaned bare woven roving with dawn soap then painted with this stuff.


https://www.rustoleum.com/product-ca...tective-enamel

[Cadence]

I would think having the bilge spotlessly clean would be the first step regardless of the paint choice.

[Dsanduril]

It is a marine product, but we have been very, very happy with Jotamastic 87. There are non-marine versions of similar epoxy mastics that I have not tried. Made to go over poorly prepared surfaces and stick. We did our engine rooms and cockpit lazarette lockers about 4 years ago and have been quite satisfied. Now if only I could find a source in the US as I have a couple of lockers forward that are in need of paint....

[Lepke]

Bilgekote looks best and lasts for years.

[Make_My_Day]

We painted a section of our bilge and inside of the hull in July. We have a steel ketch. We used Moist Metal Grip from Superior Products. It is a two component product that is specifically designed for use in wet areas.

Our bilge is normally dry but since we live aboard in The Netherlands we get have a problem with condensation in the winter. That in addition to to never ending vigilance with rust.

It goes on in 3 coats and makes a hard finish. We are watching to see how it holds but we’re pretty satisfied. So satisfied that we purchased 2 more gallons for future use. It is an American product so it comes in gallons. We purchase it from a distributor in Belgium.

Worth a look in any case.

[Don C L]

I thought Bilgekote was the only one! It looks so good, why don't we paint the whole boat with it?

[Bawlmer]

I used rustoleum enamel and it worked very well. Applied 5 years ago and still looks good.