> Anybody want to offer an opinion on whether a white --- very bright or
> near white --- paint covers blemishes and glitches in a hull better than a
> black or very dark color --- dark blues, greens, very dark reds, etc.?
> This is an academic question, of course, since my hull is as smooth as ...
> well, it's real smooth. Mostly.

> Jack Martin

It is more than just the color. A matte finish hides blemishes better than a glossy one.

A textured surface hides them better than a matte surface.

With all colors there is a certain amount of reflected light that helps to illumnate the microscopic valleys in textured surfaces. The brighter the color the more light is available for this. Darker colors, and matte finishes, therefore reflect less light into these areas, making it harder to see small blemishes, or disguising them by breaking up the pattern they form.

Of course, when you get the boat wet those matte finishes turn glossy, and the textured ones become smoother, so the best bet is to remember that blemishes are harder to see from a distance. Just paddle a lot faster than everyone else and people will be so busy trying to keep up with your fast boat that they won't have time to notice any blemishes in the finish.

Hope this helps

Paul Jacobson