Has anyone painted their kayak and had it last? I have a red and yellow mixed color kayak which I like for safety so boaters on the lake can see me. But I was thinking about painting the bottom camo to hide from fish. I have seen some videoes of people doing it and it looks good if you use leaves to help paint the design, not army pattern camo but more hunting camo.

It seems to have the best results you need to sand a little, just enough to rough the surface. Apply a good primer, then add a base solid color (that will be the main leaves color. Then come back with your other camo colors. Then add a certain varish or cloating to seal it up and project it.

I just want to know if anyone has good luck keeping it to last on a kayak.

I have seen people do it and it works as long as you prep appropriately and use the right paints.

 

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/education_portal/index/learn/paint_job_on_a_kayak/?search=true&content_type=blog&

 

Now as far as the reason you want to do it, i don't think it matters.  If yo hare that close, no amount of camo is going to help you as they see a huge floating object that blocks the light even if they can't see what it is per se, they know it is there.

Agree with flyfisher, it really doesn't make the fish not see you any better. Think of all the bass boats, they're usually solid color bottoms, saltwater boats are a glaring white typically, and kayaks are a myriad of colors. I don't think there's any difference as to what the bottom is. I started with a bright orange kayak and caught a LOT of bass just fine in short casting quarters.

 

I now have a sand-colored Native Ultimate but I stand and fish in it, and sometimes in very close, shallow quarters. My 2 cents....

My buddy Wade paints his every year, but it's not for hiding from fish, just cosmetic. It lasts the season.

I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. I use it on lakes and small rivers more like a lazy river that does get swallow and will scrap the bottom. I was thinking in the rivers bass might think of it as a floating log instead of a bright red/yellow thing and not be as scared.

I've never painted a kayak, but have done some painting on other plastic things. Regular paint doesn't adhere well to the type of plastic used in kayaks. However, Krylon makes a paint called Fusion that sticks permanently to all kinds of plastics. That's what I would try on a kayak. 

My buddy Wade paints his every year, but it's not for hiding from fish, just cosmetic. It lasts the season.

The link i posted is his write up on the wildy site actually.  Seems more like somethign to do while you are bored in the winter rather than creating a functional advantage.

In Wade's case, it just part of his identity. Dude does his rods up too.

Wade is also an aspiring painter as well and sells his prints to supplement his fishing and kayak habits.  I actually have fished with Wade as well.......