Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

July, 2003

Painting Wood for Marine Exposure

Q. What is the difference or advantage between epoxy and polyurethane coating. The material is wood, actually fishing lures, to be used in tropical sea water.

A. You can use either epoxy or polyurethane coatings. Either will work on a wooden lure. Epoxy coatings tend to loose their color and gloss when they are exposed to sunlight for long periods, but if you don't care about appearance then epoxies are less expensive than polyurethane's and should do a fine job for you.

On the other hand, if you want the lures to retain their gloss and color over the long term, and if the lures will be exposed to sunlight for long periods, then you can use a polyurethane.