Jet skis are one of the most popular watercraft. They are relatively safe, you can do tons of tricks on them, and they look freakishly cool.
Basecoat clearcoat (BCCC) paints include Chroma and Dupont. You can also use Epoxy or Enamel. Epoxy paints can hold up quite well, but they aren’t as flexible as Urethane. But no matter what you do, don’t use spray paint as it can ruin the look of your jet ski.
You have a wide variety of options to choose from the multiple types of paint available for a jet ski. But let’s dig in a bit deeper into the basics of painting a jet ski.
Choosing The Right Paint For Your Jet Ski
Let’s get into details about the types of paint you can use. Knowing these will help you make an educated decision.
Basecoat-clearcoat Paints (BCCC)
If you’re looking to cut down on your costs, BCCC paints are the perfect fit for you. They only need only one coat of paint, unlike its competitors, which require multiple coatings. Moreover, Basecoat paints are less sensitive to oxidation problems, and they also help you increase fuel efficiency.
However, BCCC paints also come with problems of their own. They’re more sensitive to abrasions and scratches. So, you’ll have to be extremely careful when cleaning your jet ski.
Make sure not to use any abrasive polishing or rubbing compounds on them. But BCCC paints can last for a long time despite their sensitivity to abrasion.
Epoxy Paints
It’s a mixture of two liquid components, hardener & epoxy resin, resulting in a solvent-resistant, tough finish. Thanks to its toughness, the epoxy coating can last a long time on your jet ski. Moreover, the amount you need per square foot is relatively lower, and its abrasion resistance gives the paint a long life.
But you’ll have to take care of the coating if you want it to last. While the proxy paint is easy to clean and seamless, it doesn’t handle moisture very well. So, make sure to clean it after each use.
And if you’re thinking of changing your ski paint frequently, you should go in another direction. That’s because epoxy paint can be very tough and costly to remove.
Enamel Paints
Enamel paints are famous for their adaptability to different weather conditions. That’s why most manufacturers use enamel paints on vehicles. And their glossy, hard finish is something to admire.
Enamel paints are very easy to use. They dry very quickly once exposed to air, so you won’t have to worry about paint dripping. However, that also means that you have very little space to work with. And it can last a long time once hardened.
However, enamel paint is quite costly. So, if you’re thinking of using a more budget-friendly option, you should choose another option. Also, it’s potentially toxic and can harm your health.
Polyurethane Paints
Polyurethane-based paints are known for their resistance to extreme weather. Additionally, thanks to their higher gloss levels and consistent finish, polyurethane paints are popularly used on automobiles like cars, boats, and jet skis.
It has another interesting feature known as the self-cleaning effect. It allows the dirt and dust to be washed off automatically. However, polyurethane paints aren’t the most durable coating out there. It can also alter the color of wood surfaces, so use with caution.
What About Spray Cans?
As the hull of your jet ski will spend its time under the water, not just any paint will help. So, on that note, spray cans are a big no.
First of all, it won’t last long. And secondly, it will make your jet ski look cheap. You definitely don’t want that.
There are far better options available, such as hard bottom paints, hybrid or semi-hard paints, and many more. All of these paints have their strengths. You just need to pick which is the most important to you and go with that.
How To Paint A Jet Ski?
Painting a jet ski is no easy feat. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to paint your jet ski yourself.
Pre-procession
Make sure to get an enclosed space that you have access to for the next few days. That way, you can ensure nothing tampers with the paint of your jet ski. You should also ensure that the area is well-ventilated as the paint particles are not particularly friendly to your lungs.
You’re also going to need a mount where you can place the jet ski when you’re painting it. That way, you ensure that the PWC is in a stable position when working on it and that you can reach every nook & cranny.
The Preparations
To get the best result achievable, there are few measures you can take. It’ll make sure that the paint looks good for years.
Make sure to wash the jet ski so that you can get rid of all the debris. That way, they’ll not get in the way of your new paint. Next, remove all the stickers from the body. While it’s possible to mask around them, that will not help you get the best results.
While removing the old paint, some people may choose to paint over. But that’s not ideal. The old coloring isn’t an ideal foundation for the newer one. So, sand all the old paint off smoothly and evenly so the fresh paint can sit perfectly.
You’ll want to take off the parts that you can. By doing so, you can paint all the details that you want to with ease, and you won’t miss any spots.
Next, mask up the parts that you don’t want the paint to reach. Then, take off the parts that you can, and for the rest, tape it all.
The Painting Process
If you’ve sanded, applied primer, you’re ready to paint. Before proceeding to the painting, mix the paint according to the instructions. Try not to mix too much paint, as it will start drying off before applying it.
Once you’re done, fill up the spray gun container. Then, try spraying on a piece of cardboard to make sure everything’s good to go.
As you’re painting the hull, make sure to work in thin coats. That way, you can avoid the paint running. Don’t expect to be done in your first coat. You’ll probably need around four coats before it looks good.
Be sure to leave a good amount of interval between each coating session so that the paint can get tacky. Don’t touch the wet paint and stay away from the enclosed space to give the color the time to dry.
You can remove stratches with 1000 then 2000 grit sandpaper as long as they are not too deep. Follow up with a polishing compound or a coat of wax.
