Repairing, Sanding, and Preparing Boat Surfaces
Shop supplies for patching up a leaky yacht or prepping your runabout for the annual coat of antifoul. Explore fillers, sanders, sealants, primers, and solvents designed for marine environments. Browse boat maintenance by category:
- Resins, fillers and fibreglass: Epoxy and polyester resins, fillers and fibreglass cloth for hull repairs, laminating and fairing. Shop West System, CRC Ados, Norski and International.
- Sanding and grinding: Marine sandpaper, sanding blocks and discs for surface prep before paint or antifoul. Grits from P16 to P1200. Stripping old coatings? See how to use StripSpeed.
- Sealants and adhesives: Marine sealants and adhesives for watertight joints, decks, fittings and installations, including Sikaflex, 3M and Bostik. Fabric sealants from 303 and Nikwax suit covers and biminis.
- Primers and undercoats: Boat primers and undercoats for fibreglass, aluminium, steel and timber surfaces, from International, Altex, CRC and Resene.
- Thinners and solvents: Paint thinners, acetone and solvents for mixing, cleaning and surface prep, from International, Altex and Awl Grip.
- Top coat, varnish and teak oil: Above-waterline topcoats, marine varnish and teak oils for decks and timber. Includes bilge and deck paint from KiwiGrip and Owatrol, plus Teak Wonder, Star Brite and Yachticon.
- Antifouling: Antifoul paints to limit weed, barnacles and marine growth below the waterline. See our complete guide to antifouling to choose the right type for your hull and local conditions.
- Cleaners and polishes: Hull cleaners, polishes and protectants for gelcoat, fibreglass and metal, including 303, Chemtech and Meguiar's.
- Paint brushes, rollers and trays: Solvent-resistant brushes, rollers and trays for smooth marine paint application.
- Brushes, cloths and sponges: Deck brushes, sponges and cloths for washdown, cleaning and routine upkeep, including telescopic and wire brushes.
- Tape: Masking tape, repair tape and marine tapes for paint edges, fabrics and quick fixes, including sail repair tape.
- Tools: PPE, scrapers, buckets and hand tools for painting, repairs and boatyard maintenance.
- Anodes: Sacrificial anodes to help protect props, shafts and underwater metal from corrosion. For rust on trailers, see how to sort rust and combating rust on your trailer. For props, see how to apply Propspeed.
Boat hull paints and antifouls are formulated to handle UV exposure, saltwater and constant moisture, conditions that would quickly degrade standard paint. Choose marine paints for wood, metal, fibreglass and composites from the categories above.
How to Care for Painted and Coated Surfaces
A good paint job lasts longer with regular care. After launching or hauling out:
- Rinse the hull and topsides with fresh water to remove salt, especially before storage.
- Use marine cleaners and polishes suited to gelcoat, paint or metal, not harsh household chemicals.
- Check for chips, scratches or peeling edges and touch up before corrosion spreads underneath.
- Follow the manufacturer recoat schedule for antifouling and varnishes so protection stays effective.
- Store covers and gear dry. Pair paint care with fibreglass and filler repairs when gelcoat damage appears.
Heading into winter lay-up? See how to prepare your boat for winter for seasonal checks beyond paint alone.
Helpful Maintenance Guides
Step-by-step advice from the Burnsco team:
- How to use StripSpeed for removing old coatings before repainting
- Got rust? Here's how to sort it
- How to combat rust on your trailer
- How to apply Propspeed
- 5-point guide to a safe trailer
Shop Boat Maintenance and Marine Supplies Online at Burnsco
Keep your boat in tip-top shape with marine paints and maintenance products at Burnsco. Explore our anchor and mooring hardware, cordage and rope, and marine safety equipment for more essential boating supplies.
We supply boat accessories and gear all across New Zealand. Visit your nearest Burnsco store or call our team on 0800 10 20 41 for advice on choosing the right products.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products do I need for a complete boat painting project?
Most boat painting projects will require:
- Primer
- Coating (antifouling, topcoat, or varnish)
- Thinner
- Sandpaper
- Masking tape
- Brushes or rollers
- PPE (see tools)
Check product pages for compatibility between your chosen primers, coating and thinners, as well as compatibility with your boat material.
How do I choose the right marine boat paint for my vessel?
Match the paint to your hull material (fibreglass, aluminium, or timber) and application. Antifouling is designed for below the waterline, while topcoat and varnishes are designed for above. Local conditions and use will also affect painting requirements.
What is the difference between marine paint and regular paint?
Most marine paints have a formulation that resists saltwater, UV exposure, and constant moisture, lengthening the life of both the paint job and your boat. Regular paints, on the other hand, can quickly blister and peel in a marine environment.
Can boat paint be used above and below the waterline?
Most paints are designed for one or the other. Antifouling is for below the waterline only. Topcoats and enamels are made to be used above the waterline. Check the product label before applying, as using the incorrect paint affects performance and longevity.
How do I maintain a freshly painted boat to extend its finish?
Here are some tips for maintaining your painted boat:
- Regularly wash your boat with fresh water using marine cleaners and polishes
- Check the hull for damage, and touch up chips or scratches before they spread
- Follow the manufacturer's recommended recoat schedule
- Keep track of what type of paint you used so you can select it again in the future
