Narrow Boat & Barge Enamel Paint

Bring life back to your narrowboat or barge with our easy-to-use single-pack alkyd enamel paint. Specially developed for brush and roller application, it provides a smooth, durable, high-gloss finish with long-lasting colour and excellent visual depth.

Ideal for decorative use on properly prepared metal and wooden surfaces, including narrowboats, barges, cabin sides, doors, trims and other marine surfaces above the waterline. Its single-component formula means no hardener is required, making application simple while still delivering a professional-quality finish.

Available in a wide range of RAL, BS381C, BS4800 and NCS colours, with many additional shades available to suit classic restorations or more individual colour schemes.

Key Features

• Easy brush and roller application – designed for smooth, controlled application without specialist spray equipment.
• Single-pack alkyd formula – no hardener required.
• High-gloss finish – greater than 90% gloss at 60° and greater than 80% at 20°.
• Durable decorative coating – ideal for narrowboats, barges and exterior marine surfaces above the waterline.
• Professional-quality finish with good flow, colour depth and long-term appearance.

Suitable Uses

• Narrowboats
• Barges
• Exterior metal panels
• Properly prepared wooden surfaces
• Cabin sides, doors and trims
• Decorative marine surfaces above the waterline

Surface Preparation

Correct preparation is essential for good adhesion and a high-quality finish. Ensure all surfaces are clean, dry, and free from grease, dirt, dust and loose material before application.

Previously Painted Surfaces

• Remove loose, flaking or poorly adhered coatings.
• Sand sound existing paint using approximately P360–P400 abrasive.
• Clean the surface thoroughly again after sanding before applying the enamel.

Wooden Surfaces

• Ensure the timber is clean, dry and properly prepared.
• A suitable seam sealer is recommended before painting wooden surfaces.
• Use a compatible primer where required for the substrate and service conditions.

Compatible primer systems include Primanyl 5011, Primapox 6021, Primapox 6041 and Primapur 9051.

Mixing & Application

• Stir the paint thoroughly before use.
• No hardener is required.
• If necessary, thin with 0–5% Synthetic Thinner.
• Apply by brush or roller.
• Apply 2 smooth, even coats for full coverage and durability.
• Aim for approximately 30–40 microns total dry film thickness.
• Avoid excessively heavy application, which can slow drying and affect the final finish.

Coverage

Theoretical coverage is approximately 11–14 m² per litre, depending on the applied film thickness, substrate condition and application method. Practical coverage may be lower on rough, porous or irregular surfaces.

Drying & Curing

At approximately 20°C:

• Handling dry: approximately 4–4.5 hours.
• Through dry: approximately 24 hours.
• Recoating: allow approximately 4–5 hours between coats.
• Maximum performance: approximately 15 days air drying.

Oven curing is not recommended. Drying times can vary depending on temperature, ventilation, film thickness and environmental conditions.

Practical Application Tips

• Apply only to clean, dry and well-prepared surfaces.
• Use a suitable marine or compatible primer where required.
• Apply controlled coats rather than one excessively heavy coat.
• For large surfaces or dry conditions, a suitable flow additive can help improve application and keep the coating open for longer.
• Dark black shades may require a suitable drying agent where drying performance is affected.
• Work in clean, dry conditions and protect freshly painted surfaces while curing.

Equipment Cleaning

• Clean brushes, rollers and application equipment immediately after use.
• Use a suitable cleaning thinner.
• Do not allow the paint to dry inside equipment.
• Dispose of paint, thinner and contaminated waste responsibly and in accordance with local regulations.

Safety & Storage

• Professional-use solvent-based coating.
• Follow all instructions on the product label and Safety Data Sheet.
• Use suitable personal protective equipment when applying the product.
• Store in a ventilated location away from direct sunlight.
• Store between 5°C and 30°C.
• Shelf life: approximately 1 year in unopened original packaging.

Colour Availability

Narrow Boat & Barge Enamel Paint can be mixed in a wide range of colours, including:

• RAL colours
• BS381C colours
• BS4800 colours
• NCS colours
• Plus many additional shades

TDS