Premium Paint for big aluminum boat

[Watermann]

I used the WOG method with Van Sickle industrial / tractor paint and catalyst hardener shot with a HVLP gun. The paint job is real nice, durable and was under 100 bucks.

 

[harleyman1975]

If you go the rustoleum/tractor paint route make sure to go with the Acrylic and not the Alkyd Enamel. Definitely add the hardener. Get it primed as soon as possible. While I totally understand the reason for going with a "cost effective" alternative to the high end automotive or marine finishes I firmly believe the saying "you get what you pay for" Acrylic enamel is a totally different technology than Urethane enamel or Polyester basecoat/urethane Clearcoat. If this is a DIY project and you don't have much experience doing this sort of thing I would suggest the lower cost materials in case you have to wash it all off and start over.

 

[Johnboy82]

harleyman1975. Can I ask why you suggest the acrylic and not alkyd?

 

[Woodonglass]

This should explain the difference between the two...
http://www.resene.co.nz/archspec/archmemo/arch28.htm

 

[NathanY]

Got my paint today. Went with PPG Concept Metallic Silver. Gallon of paint and a gallon of primer was just under $600. This is the same thing that Lund uses. Better look as good as a Lund after the painter sprays it.

 

[Johnboy82]

Awesome. Gotta love science. Good information

 

[Watermann]

Awesome. Gotta love science. Good information

Yeah maybe,that article is dated from 1983... I think paints have come a long ways in 33 years. Other articles about the 2 paints from this century say that the water based acrylic paints are not near as durable and do not have the gloss of the oil based alkyd paints.

 

[Woodonglass]

The article WAS comparing Oil Based Polymer Alkyd and Acrylic based Paints. Just like Rustoleum and Majic and Ace Hardware and the rest of em make em today. I don't use the Water based enamels. Don't think they have a hardener for them. Not sure what you're saying WM?? The Acrylic Enamels HAVE improved somewhat over the years and that's why the alkyds have more or less dropped from the scene. Some of the Antique Car Purists still want their cars painted with Laquers and Enamels.

 

[Watermann]

I guess I'm confused WOG as Majic implement paint is alkyd enamel. Van Sickle is alkyd enamel and Rustoleum both professional and topside are all alkyd enamels. Both my boats are painted with alkyd enamels with catalyst hardener added.So I'm not sure about the hype over the acrylic water based stuff? The article you posted even says that the acrylic carries the solids with water?

 

[Woodonglass]

Well I keep tellin everyone I AM an Old Dumbe Okie, I got it turned around Bass Ackwards!!!! Thanks for the Catch!!! You're spot on. the new Alkyd Formulations HAVE over come the problems of the past and DO simulate the properties of the Acrylics and with the Added Hardeners DO make for a very durable and High Gloss Finish!!!! But be careful...I'm Still and Old Dumb Okie soooo Double and Triple Check EVERYTHING is say!!!!

 

[harleyman1975]

Sorry for being absent from this thread for a while. My experience with the Alkyd paints is from the early 80's using them on cars (namely Bobcat by PPG and Dulux by DuPont. The color holdout was not near as good as acrylic enamel (faded much worse). Alkyd took longer to dry and was really sticky. Took longer to be dust free vs acrylic. tended to soak in or die back due to the surface skinning over and trapping solvents vs acrylic hardening more or less all at once. Painting is a science based endeavor. (molecules cross linking and that kind of stuff). Sure you can spray, roll or brush it on and maybe get lucky, but what I see as a recurring theme is folks that end up having to sand and polish for days to achieve a satisfactory outcome. I just was trying to help suggest a method that would make the result satisfactory without all the time spent having to rescue the paint job. I am in no way knocking anybody's advise, just trying to suggest an alternative.