Painting a yacht is a complex and difficult job, which is why most yacht owners choose professional yacht painting services in Fort Lauderdale, such as OP Yacht Services.
But if you choose to paint your yacht yourself, or you choose an inexpensive, non-specialist painting service, you could end up with every boat detailer’s worst nightmare – “Orange Peel” paint.
In this article, we’ll discuss “orange peel”, how it’s caused, and what can be done to avoid it – and repair it. Let’s get started now.
What Is Orange Peel?
Orange peel, as the name suggests, is a kind of paint finish that resembles the skin of an orange. It looks like it has “divots” in the paint, and does not reflect light evenly. It’s caused when the paint on a boat does not dry evenly, for a number of different reasons.
Usually, high-gloss paint sprayed onto a smooth surface also dries smoothly. But a number of different problems can cause orange peel to form.
Typically, orange peel is the result of an improper painting technique. It’s caused by the quick evaporation of paint thinner, an improper spray gun setup that does not use the right nozzle or air pressure, or the application of the paint at an angle. It can also be caused by the application of excessive paint.
Though it’s only a cosmetic problem, orange peel can be unsightly, even if it just occurs on small sections of your boat.
How Can I Prevent Orange Peel Paint On My Yacht?
By using proper, professional painting techniques and equipment. If you’re thinking about painting your own boat, here are a few things you must do.
- Ensure that your paint gun has adequate air pressure to spray paint evenly
- Spray only at a perpendicular angle to the painted surface
- Use short, even painting strokes and don’t overpaint surfaces before they dry
- Paint only in ideal temperatures from 55-80 degrees
And if you are looking to repaint your boat with a yacht services provider, make sure you choose a specialist marine painting services provider, with a history of proven results.
How Can I Repair Orange Peel Paint On My Yacht?
The best way to repair orange peel paint is by sanding your yacht. You can use an ultra-fine sandpaper, and use either wet or dry sanding techniques. If the orange peel is not incredibly obvious, even just using a buffing compound may be enough to repair it, and eliminate the imperfections.
However, this is very time-consuming. Using a buffing wheel or a sander can help speed up the process.
Looking To Avoid Orange Peel – Or Repair It? Come To OP Yacht Services Today!
At OP Yacht Services, we are experts at marine painting. We use modern techniques and tools to deliver fantastic results. If you are thinking about repainting your yacht, we’re the best choice in Fort Lauderdale.
And if you’ve noticed orange peel on your boat – whether because of your DIY painting project, or an inexperienced painting services provider – we can help! We can sand and repair orange peel, and leave your yacht looking as good as new.
So don’t wait. Contact us today to learn more about what we do, and get started with the best yacht services in Fort Lauderdale.