Best Practices for Paint Finishing Marine Vessels

Refinishing marine vessels like commercial ships, work boats, or yachts is more than just a coat of paint. These types of vessels operate in harsh environments with exposure to saltwater, UV rays, extreme temperatures, and more. Paint finishing does not only matter for aesthetic or physical appearances but is critical to protecting the integrity and performance of each vessel. 
Here are some best practices to consider when finishing marine vehicles or vessels: 

• Surface Preparation: Making sure your surface is clean of any old paint, rust, salt, or other contaminants is vital for adhesion of marine-grade coatings. Using abrasive blasting is a very effective way to remove particles from surfaces. Degreasing and water washes can also eliminate any oil or salt.
• Marine Vessel Coatings: It is important to use coatings that are designed for marine environments, so they resist corrosion and UV rays as well as algae. Polyurethane topcoats can provide a durable, high-gloss finish that also ensures UV protection.
• Environmental Controls: Temperature and humidity in your finishing environment can adversely affect your finish. Coatings typically adhere better in temperatures from 50°F -  85°F and humidity below 85%. Using a spray booth with proper airflow and ventilation control will help manage temperature fluctuations and overspray.
• Using the Right Finishing System: Finishing marine vessels requires special equipment. Using sprayers, lifts, and robotics for hard-to-reach, large, or angled components can ensure coverage. 

Refinishing marine vessels can be challenging, but with the right part preparation and finishing system, you can ensure flawless finishes that endure harsh environments. Rohner designs and builds custom finishing systems for the marine industry, from small boats to large yachts and commercial vessels. Talk to our team about integrating new features into your existing system or building a custom finishing system to meet your requirements. Learn more

Have questions? Please contact the Rohner team: info@rohner-usa.com