Pettit introduces new above-water marine coatings
Marine paint supplier Pettit has expanded its above-water coatings range following the 2026 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference. Announced in mid-October, the update covers the reorganised Pettit EZ family and two products within its IKONIKOLOR PRO professional finishing system.
The change matters to yacht owners and refit yards because finishing projects rely on more than a single topcoat. Preparation, compatible primers, surface conditions and application technique all influence whether a coating job delivers a consistent appearance and long service life.
Pettit describes the updated range as a way to make the selection process more understandable to boat owners and retailers. The company has also targeted professional applicators with more specialised direct-to-metal and matte-finish options.
Pettit EZ puts preparation and paint in one family
The reworked Pettit EZ Family brings together surface preparation, priming, painting and specialist coating products under a common product system. The stated goal is to help buyers follow a project from initial preparation to finishing rather than selecting unrelated products in isolation.
For owners maintaining a cruising yacht, this approach could make it easier to understand which stage of a repaint or small repair they are addressing. However, grouping products under one name does not mean every coating is automatically suitable for every substrate or compatible with every existing finish.
Detailed instructions remain essential, particularly where a previous coating's chemistry or condition is uncertain. Professional advice may still be needed before sanding, degreasing, repairing corrosion or deciding whether full removal is necessary.
Direct-to-metal formula aims to reduce stages
Pettit has added IKONIKOLOR PRO Direct to Metal, a two-component polyurethane designed to adhere to suitably prepared substrates. The manufacturer identifies steel, galvanized metal, aluminium, cast iron and fiberglass among the surfaces for which the coating may be used.
Where the specified application permits direct adhesion, the product is intended to reduce the need for a separate primer stage. This could influence labour time and material planning in selected repair jobs, although surface preparation and the product's technical data remain essential.
The new product is planned in Snow White and Super Jet Black factory-packed shades, which can be mixed to produce grey tones. A boatyard should still confirm the relevant specification before choosing the coating for a particular alloy or structure.
Matte Acrylic Urethane targets controlled finishes
The second new professional product is IKONIKOLOR PRO Matte Acrylic Urethane, which Pettit says was developed for low-gloss results rather than by modifying a high-gloss coating after formulation. The two-component finish is intended for interior and exterior marine surfaces.
Pettit specifies an approximate gloss level of 6 plus or minus 1 at a 60-degree measurement angle, alongside scratch resistance and a durable acrylic urethane film. The product is designed to achieve its matte appearance without a separate matte clearcoat.
The planned factory-packed colours are White Angel and Black Devil, with mixing options for custom greys. The practical challenge for a yard is to apply a uniform low-sheen finish across panels, corners and adjoining structures without visible differences.
Refit considerations for luxury-yacht owners
Paint specification is a long-term maintenance decision, particularly for yachts whose topsides are regularly exposed to salt, sun and repeated cleaning. A new coating system can offer options, but it should be assessed against the underlying surface, previous coatings and the owner's operating requirements.
Pettit's announcement describes these new products as part of its wider professional and owner-maintenance offering. It does not establish that they will replace every existing coating or that owners can avoid conventional preparation steps in every application.
For Luxury Yacht Guide readers, the value of the update is the availability of additional paint-system choices and more clearly grouped maintenance products. Application suitability, regional availability, safety requirements and technical support should be confirmed with the manufacturer or an authorised distributor before a refit is commissioned.
