Repainting Aluminum boat

[Ahill2climb]

Hey Guys,

I have a 14ft aluminum boat that has the paint chipping off of it and I've been wanting to repaint it for some time but I'm not sure what steps I need to take. I'd like to do the paint job for as little money as possible but I also want it to last. If anyone has any advice on what type of paint to use what needs to be done to prep the aluminum surface etc. I would greatly appreciated it.

Thanks!

[jward]

I have had good luck with Dupli-color brand self etching primer. The color of the primer will fade if you dont paint over it But it seems to stick to aluminum pretty good . I painted a brand new sheet of diamond tread aluminum last year and it is still holding up . It would be pricey to do a whole boat but for spot painting it isn't to bad. Make sure to follow the directions on the can and good luck with your boat.


Jward

[waterfoul]

You need to sand the areas where the paint is chipping off to remove any lose paint. Then you need to prime the bare areas with etching primer (as mentioned above). Then you need to clean the boat properly before painting it. Interlux Brightside paint will cover the old paint quite well, and can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed on (must be thinned to spray).

I've had several customers do this already this year and they have all been very happy.

[k8vol]

Mike power wash it and then use a 3m scotch brite on it then prime with a etching primer then you can paint it with polyurethern paint or auto paint . you may call maco paint shop by your home you maybe able to just power wash and have them paint it . for less then the paint will cost you . Steve k8vol. P. S. I will be repainting a LOWE we just got after I weld up the work it needs it's baby @@@ brown and I would like it to match my white ranger so out comes the auto body supply and paint latter this spring .

[waterfoul]

Mike power wash it and then use a 3m scotch brite on it then prime with a etching primer then you can paint it with polyurethern paint or auto paint . you may call maco paint shop by your home you maybe able to just power wash and have them paint it . for less then the paint will cost you . Steve k8vol. P. S. I will be repainting a LOWE we just got after I weld up the work it needs it's baby @@@ brown and I would like it to match my white ranger so out comes the auto body supply and paint latter this spring .

Scotch bright will work too! :D

[Priority1]

As mentioned above, do the prep work. Rustoleum will hold up well, and is inexpensive.

[swaptrex]

I just went to a Military store and bought a gallon of Military Grade Marine Paint for like $15.00 and as someone else said use self-etching primer.

[jward]

I just went to a Military store and bought a gallon of Military Grade Marine Paint for like $15.00 and as someone else said use self-etching primer.
Just a heads up if that is true military surplus paint it may contain IR difusing particles . That makes it a strong carcinagin . You may want to invest in a good respirator . Just my .02 .



Jward

[swaptrex]

Just a heads up if that is true military surplus paint it may contain IR difusing particles . That makes it a strong carcinagin . You may want to invest in a good respirator . Just my .02 .



Jward

I put it on last season, ya I wore a mask.. all was good. Thanks for the heads-up though.

[Ahill2climb]

Thanks for all your advice! Where would you recommend buying the self etching primer and paint? I've looked online at West Marine and Bass Pro Shops and they seem to be pretty expensive. Could I get this cheaper at a Home Depot or a local auto store???

[waterfoul]

It's expensive stuff... that's just the nature of it.

[Ahill2climb]

It's expensive stuff... that's just the nature of it.

That's not the answer I was looking for. :sad:

[waterfoul]

Sorry... I sell the stuff and hear it all the time.

But, I sell a LOT of it.

[Secret Lure]

How well you do the prep work will determine how well the paint job comes out & how long it lasts. A clean surface is an absolute must. If you can spray the paint on instead of manual application it can make it as close to chip proof as possible. I'd be more inclined to spend a bit more on primer than paint if I was on a budget. There are inexpensive bonding agents that come in small tubes that you mix in with the actual paint that will make the paint stick to surfaces for longer periods of time. It's no more than a few bucks & you can mix it into any paint & it's specifically designed for metals. Avoiding the paint coming off is the most important thing anyway since it's not a yacht.

[UNCLE AL]

When you are sanding the boat make sure all the shine is gone from the paint. I used an aluminum oxide primer that I bought from a surplus hardware store that worked very good. It's ugly as hell (mustard yellow in color) but when I put on farm implement red paint that was bought from the same store it was all covered, and the paint lasted for a very long time.