How to paint jet ski

Riding a jet ski could be one of the most pleasurable toys that you can own. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the water and it’s a great form of exercise.

But for it to be fun, you need to make sure that it is tuned and running in tip-top condition.

In fact, jet ski maintenance and jet ski painting are a big part of the sport.

This blog will show you how to find the right jet ski painter and how to select the best jet ski painting service for your needs. I’II also look at how Neil Bollmann went from being a star jet

Don’t worry because this is step by step is written by an experienced painter who is professional in his field and gained his experience over the course of years.

Beginners are requested not to miss any step explained in this guide in order to achieve the best results.

Table of Contents

How to paint jet ski?

Tools you need to paint jet ski

Sand paper
Protective gear
Goggles

Face mask/respirator mask
Latex gloves
Spray gun or paint brush

Paint
Painters tape
Newspaper

Drop clothes
Primer
Paper towel

Remove paint from jet ski

The best way to remove stickers from the jet ski is to use WD-40 and a paint scraper. First, remove the stickers and clean the surface.

Then spray the WD-40 on the surface and let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a clean rag.

Once it’s dry, use a paint scraper to scrape off the remaining residue. You can also use a sharp blade to scrape off the sticker before you apply paint to the jet ski.

The glue underneath the sticker might still be sticky and needs to be removed as well. You can use a solvent to dissolve the glue, but if you do not have any at hand, you can try using baby oil.

Clean the jet ski before painting

Cleaning the jet ski before painting is an important step. In fact, if the jet ski is not properly cleaned, the paint will not stick to the jet ski.

Further, removing all the oil and contaminants from the jet ski before painting is very essential.

The oil will absorb the paint and make blotches on the paint. To clean the jet ski before the painting process, use the following steps:

First of all, you need to wash the jet ski properly, removing any loose dirt and foreign objects.

Then wipe it with a soft cloth to remove any remaining dust. You need to do this to ensure that the jet ski paint will stick properly to the jet ski paint.

Sanding process

Sanding is one of the initial steps for surface preparation before painting. Sanding, in short, is the process of removing any bumps, imperfections, and cracks from your surface.

The purpose of this is to create a smooth and even surface for the paint to lay on. The smoother surface you can produce, the better paint job you can get.

Sanding the parts is a crucial process in the sand jet ski before the painting process.

Sanding has a purpose; it allows the paint to fully cover the whole surface and makes the surface smooth. Use 80-grit sandpaper to sand the parts.

Start with a larger grit if the part is more complex and use smaller grit as the process progresses to smooth out the corners.

Use a high-quality 3M sanding block, and sand in straight lines. Work in a small area, until you have a smooth finish, and remove all the scratches.

Use a second finer sandpaper, of 120 or 150 grit, to find the surface. If you can, sand the surfaces by hand.

Prime jet ski

When you have a jet ski, you should apply primer to the jet ski before painting. It is a fact that a jet ski’s heat and salt water will corrode them quickly because it is a metal.

To prevent corrosion, it is very important to apply a good primer. You should be able to find a good primer if you go to a nearby hardware store. The primer is usually in a spray can.

The primer you use should be similar to the surface you are painting. If it is metal, you should use a metal primer.

If it is fiberglass, you should use fiberglass primer. What you need to do is coat the surface with primer, and let it dry and clean.

Then you need to prime it with another layer of primer. Apply primer to the jet ski surface and let it dry for some time then apply a second coat of it for a better finish.

When deciding to paint your skis you can use a urethane primer.

There are many reasons why this is better than epoxy, but one of the biggest differences is that you have a wider time span in which to apply it while still successfully applying the final layer.

Urethane primer takes 72 hours to become set, whereas epoxy takes 24 hours and can have a significant pore decrease if you dip it before then.

I’ve heard of people taking cracks up to 4″ long with rings around them and detailing them like scratches.

So think about what sort of joy you might want out of your skis when deciding which forms of paint will work best for you.

Painting jet ski

The first step when painting a jet ski is to allow the area of paint you’ll be using to dry for at least 24 hours.

Next, using a paintbrush and your desired paint color, go over the entire jet ski in even strokes.

You will have to wait another 24 hours before going back over any parts that you might have missed or that need a second coat.

Finally, use high-grit sandpaper and smooth out any splotchy spots before giving it a second bath of paint with your sprayer or brush!

Please allow a couple of hours for the paint job to cure before lightly shaking off any excess that may have stuck to your jet ski with the help of a paper towel or drop cloth.

Then, remove any remaining bits of tape with extreme caution in order to not chip and lift any paint that might have dried onto it.

What kind of paint do you use on jet skis?

The type of paint used on jet skis can vary depending on the specific application and desired finish.

Some common types of paint used on jet skis include epoxy, polyurethane, and marine-grade acrylic.

These types of paints are specifically designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and provide a durable finish.

It is also recommended to use a primer before applying the paint for added protection and better adhesion.

It is always best to consult with a professional or refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for specific paint guidelines.

How much does it cost to get a jetski repainted?

The cost to repaint a jet ski can vary depending on a number of factors such as the size of the jet ski, the type of paint used, and the location of the service.

On average, a professional jet ski repainting job can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more.

However, the cost can be higher if the jet ski requires extensive prep work, or if the customer requests a custom paint job with multiple colors or graphics.

It is best to get a quote from a professional auto body shop or marine service provider for a more accurate estimate.

How do you spray a jet ski?

Spraying a jet ski is a task best left to professionals, as it requires specialized equipment, knowledge, and experience. Here are the general steps for spraying a jet ski:

Prepare the surface: The jet ski must be cleaned thoroughly, sanded, and repaired (if necessary) before spraying. This process is called surface preparation.
Masking: The areas that are not to be painted are covered with masking tape and paper to protect them from overspray.
Priming: A primer coat is applied to the surface to improve the adhesion of the paint and to fill in small imperfections on the surface.

Painting: The jet ski is then painted with high-quality marine paint using a spray gun. This is typically done in a controlled environment such as a paint booth to ensure a smooth, even finish.
Clear coating: A clear coat is applied to protect the paint and give it a glossy finish.
Drying and curing: The jet ski is left to dry and cure before it can be removed from the paint booth. The curing process can take anywhere from 24 hours to a week.

Final touch-ups: Once dry, the jet ski is inspected for any imperfections, and touch-ups are made as necessary.

It is important to note that the use of a paint booth, high-quality paint, and proper ventilation is crucial for a professional finish.

If you are not experienced with this kind of work, I would recommend hiring a professional painter.

Can I paint the bottom of my jet ski?

Yes, you can paint the bottom of a jet ski.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that the paint on the bottom of a jet ski is exposed to a lot of wear and tear from the water, which can make it more difficult to maintain.

When painting the bottom of a jet ski, it’s important to use marine-grade paint that is specifically designed to withstand the harsh marine environment and provide a durable finish.

Epoxy paint is a good option for painting the bottom of a jet ski, as it is highly resistant to water and abrasion.

It’s also important to properly prepare the surface before painting by thoroughly cleaning, sanding, and repairing any damage.

It is also recommended to use a primer before applying the paint for added protection and better adhesion.

Once the paint is applied, it is recommended to let it cure for at least 24 hours before using the jet ski.

It’s important to keep in mind that painting the bottom of the jet ski will not improve its performance and that it’s a cosmetic procedure.

If you’re not comfortable with the process, it’s best to consult with a professional for a better outcome.

FAQ’s of How to paint jet ski

I would suggest you to use a high-grade epoxy, especially if you are residing in the coastal area. The advantage of using this paint is that it is tough and can stand the harsh environment of seaside, and most importantly; it is practically resistant to salt water. The epoxy paint is also highly hydrophobic and has high resistance against scratches and dirt. In addition to these, it has great UV reflection and hence it will be safer to use. If you are opting for enamel, then the best choice will be a high-grade polyurethane. However, this paint is not suitable for jetskis as it has low UV reflection, it is prone to scuffs and scratches, and to top it all it creates a very slippery surface. These paints are also not known for their durability.

The amount of paint you need to paint your jetski depends on many factors, such as the texture of the surface and the number of coats you will apply. A rough estimate to assume is that 1 gallon of paint is enough to cover a 12’x6’x6’ area. However, if the surface is uneven, you might need to add a little more paint to account for this. Painting a jetski will take an experienced professional about 3 days to complete. You can also opt for a DIY paint job, but you will have to buy a lot of materials, prepare the surface and follow the paint manufacturer’s instructions.

After that remove the jet ski’s seat and then remove the jet ski’s jet engine. You will be able to see the jet ski’s motor which is the part that you need to remove. Once you have removed the motor you will see the jet ski’s metal part. Now you need to take the booster product and apply it on all parts of the metal. Once you have applied the coating, let it sit for about 15 minutes. After that you will need to rinse it off with a power washer. Now it is time for the paint. Paint both sides of the metal part with white primer. Let it dry for about 15 minutes. Now use a roller paint brush to paint it with your favorite color. Let it dry for a couple of hours. Make sure that you don’t leave the paint in the sun, or else it will dry up. Now put it back together and test it out.

It is possible to plasti dip a jet ski. It may be tricky to do because jet ski usually contains kind of antimicrobial protection coatings. Many jet ski owners have tried plasti dip jet ski but failed. They also encountered two problems: First, it is hard to spray the jet ski uniformly, especially the bottom part of the jet ski. Secondly, the acetone used in plasti dip tends to make the surface of the jet ski dull and not that attractive. The best way is to remove the anti-microbial protection coatings from the jet ski to make it possible to spray the jet ski uniformly.

Final thoughts for painting jet ski

When it comes to jet ski colors, you can find a lot of different choices depending on what you want to use your water vessel for.

If you are interested in a new color for your jet ski, contact us anytime in the comments section and we will be very happy to help you.

Follow each step on how to paint a jet ski in order to achieve the desired results.

Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this!

Matthew Edward

Matthew Edward is a professional painter who loves to paint and wants to share useful tips and tricks which he had learned in many years of experience in painting. He also used many products that can be used for painting he has tried and tested each and every product to give an unbias opinion about it in his review. This blog is very useful for those newbies who want to learn painting without making mistakes.