Pettit Paint Specialty Coating & Paints

Pettit Paint: A Century of Marine Coating Expertise

Pettit Paint is one of the most storied names in marine coatings, with roots stretching back to 1923 when chemist John L. Pettit founded his paint company in New Jersey. Today, as part of RPM International's Performance Coatings Group, Pettit's specialty coatings and paints represent the culmination of over a century of formulation science — engineered specifically for the brutal demands of the marine environment.

What Makes Pettit's Specialty Coatings Stand Apart

Depth of technology is what separates Pettit from the competition. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Pettit has developed a range of distinct coating technologies that address specific challenges boaters face, whether they store their vessel seasonally, race competitively, or cruise coastal saltwater year-round.

• Hydrocoat® Technology: Pettit's water-based ablative formula replaces harsh solvents with water, yielding an extremely low VOC content and a unique low-odor profile that even allows indoor application. The self-polishing action exposes fresh biocide with use, delivering steady multi-season performance without build-up.
• Hydrocoat® ECO: The award-winning, metal-free ablative uses the organic Econea™ biocide, which breaks down quickly and is completely biodegradable — compatible with virtually all existing bottom paints and safe for steel and aluminum substrates.
• Vivid® Technology (Hybrid Antifouling): Pettit's hybrid formulation delivers the hard, burnishable surface of a traditional leaching paint combined with the no-build-up advantage of an ablative. Once biocides are depleted, the paint film breaks down to expose a fresh layer — making it ideal for boats that are trailered, dry-stored, or moved in and out of the water frequently.
• Clean Core Technology: An enhanced paint film engineered to reduce heavy metals released into the water by up to 90%, while providing a more consistent and precisely tuned biocide release for full antifouling protection at lower biocide concentrations.
• Hard Modified Epoxy & Trinidad® Line: For boaters who need maximum durability, Pettit's hard modified epoxy and Trinidad product family deliver a tough, long-lasting film with exceptional adhesion. The Trinidad® PRO is engineered especially for professional applicators and extended in-water service.
• Black Widow® Racing Antifouling: A burnishable, ultra-smooth racing finish with dual biocide protection — designed for speed-conscious sailors who demand the slickest possible hull surface without sacrificing fouling resistance.
• Splash Zone® Epoxy: A multi-purpose, two-part epoxy repair compound that is extremely hard, abrasion-resistant, and impact-resistant — built for underwater repair work in harsh marine environments.

Engineered for Every Substrate and Condition

Pettit's specialty coatings span both solvent-based and water-based formulas, covering hulls built from fiberglass, wood, steel, and aluminum. Their White Copper (Cuprous Thiocyanate) formulations require 50% less copper content than conventional antifouling paints and are among the only copper-based options compatible with aluminum — a critical consideration for owners of aluminum-hulled vessels. Meanwhile, Clean Core and Hydrocoat ECO technologies reflect Pettit's commitment to reducing environmental impact without compromising on protection.

Whether you are a DIY boater refreshing a single-season hull or a professional yard manager maintaining a fleet, Pettit's specialty coatings and paints provide the technical depth and formulation choices to match any application. Explore the full Pettit Paint brand lineup or browse all specialty coatings and paints to find the right solution for your vessel.