This is probably a stupid question but I am replacing the shelf in my center console right now. The old one rotted and I buildt a new one out of treated wood that I found at a construction site. I want to paint the thing so it looks somewhat decent. What should I use that will be able go get wet? I went to West Marine and they sold me on some paint that was $14 for a half quart. Now that I’m thinking about it that seems kind of pricey. Let me know if you have any recommendations.
Most people use Imron or Awlgrip if they don’t use gelcoat.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Depending on how wet is will get, a polyurethane based marine topside paint will do just fine (the price above seems right) I recommend using the primer that is called out by the paint manufucturer. Just use multiple coats of each allowing each coat sufficient time to completely dry. Seal any screw holes when mounting and will last a good long time.
Paying $14 to repair something on a boat is not that much.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
I understand it isn’t a lot of money. I just didn’t want to pay $15 for a can of paint if a $5 can would work.
There is certainly a premium you are paying just becuase it says “marine”, but it is going to be better than what you can buy at the hardware store.
Iain Pelto
Edgewater 185CC “Jumpin’ Bean II”
make sure that treated wood has dried out before you paint it or $100.00 a pint paint won’t stick 
I would go with “marine” paint its good stuff I painted my jon boat 2 years and the parts I haven’t beat and scratched still looks good.
26’ Twinvee
Suzuki 175’s
www.creeksidemetalworks.com
Where is the shelf in the boat? If it’s out of sight, and you’re worried about $14, just paint it a few coats with some cheap epoxy paint and don’t worry about it.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
It’s inside the console. It will never be seen. What is a cheap epoxy paint?
Why didn’t you use starboard. It last forever and comes in different colors.
quote:
Originally posted by FollyIt’s inside the console. It will never be seen. What is a cheap epoxy paint?
I meant the cheapest you can find, since you were concerned about the $14. I’m just saying that, if you’re worried about the money, I wouldn’t sweat it too much with glassing and using premium paint if it’s hidden and not structural or aesthetic. If you want to make it look good, it’s going to cost more money. Like P1 said, you could make it with starboard, but that’s expensive stuff, too. Someone may have a spare piece you can have, though. How big is the shelf? If it’s not big, I may have a piece of G-10 you can have. That’s the best material, hands down, and you can just spray paint it and be done with it; you actually don’t even have to paint it. I also have a couple of pieces of plywood that I fiberglassed on both sides using a mirror to make the surface mirror smooth and shiny, and sandwiched a layer of fiberglass in between two pieces of plywood to make these, so they are super rigid and strong, while thin and light. I made them for a special purpose that I ended up using G-10 for instead. I think they’re about 18x24 (or something like that). you can have them if you want them.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862
Gotcha,
Thanks for the offer. I went ahead and painted the plywood with the polyurethane. It looks pretty good. I’m not realy concerned about the $14, I was just hoping I could find something cheaper at Lowe’s that would work just as good. If it lasts a couple of years I’ll be happy with it. This is an old boat so I’m not really wanting to spend big $$ on it.
Roger that. Sounds like you’ll be fine to me. Don’t worry about it.
Gotcha Covered,
Lee Strickland
Strickland Marine Insurance, Inc.
843-795-1000 / 800-446-1862