But in November 2012 he got the call up to airbrush the real thing.
He said Team New Zealand were going to use vinyl stickers for the graphics but issues with the edges of the stickers saw them opt for airbrushing.
"It wasn't difficult in terms of actual airbrushing and using the techniques I have used for many years, but it was hard because of a very small time frame for such a large job.
Each chrome-look "New Zealand" was 10.5m long and each flag almost 3m long.
The work was done at Cookson's Boats in the North Shore industrial area of Auckland during Christmas and New Year.
Mr Houston was assisted by another Rotorua man, Ben Malcolm, who is assistant boat builder on the team.
"I feel two emotions when I see the boat. One of immense pride and satisfaction having my work on this incredible speed machine that's representing my country at a world level, but also a feeling of 'did I really do that?"'
Now in his 60s, Mr Houston is as passionate about airbrushing as he ever was and is now branching into contemporary art.
"Perhaps the biggest buzz, besides actually being asked to do the job, was having Grant Dalton accepting my idea of using the 'illusionary chrome look' in the artwork.
"I can't say enough about the professionalism of the Team New Zealand organisation, they were hugely supportive and made my job so much easier."
