Aluminum boat paint job

AZMinyard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
165
The set up: It?s 110 outside; the crappie, stripper and bass are biting; I have a new (to me) outboard that hasn?t seen water yet; the wife is occupied all day; I have 6 cans of self-etching primer, a dozen or so cans of paint and four cans of spray bed liner. I also have a very ugly boat ? a very ugly boat that I am extremely happy to have.

Turns out my fishing buddies are all occupied ? time to paint the boat!

The hooptie ? a 1971 Chrysler Model 67, a 12ft aluminum boat:
IMG_3258.jpg


Note the plug hanging down below the back seat. This is the result of me forgetting to put it in on the very first launch. Luckily it was just a beach launch (no trailer as of yet), so the sinking was held to a minimum. I digress . . .

The underside of the hooptie ? it looks like a 30+ year old boat ? including a rather odd brown stain/lump thing:
IMG_3271.jpg


Applied the Glovit, time to paint:
IMG_3276.jpg


I decided to paint along the rivet line on the outside with a dark khaki color. The bottom is going to be taking the abuse of the truck bed as well as water, sand and rocks ? so I am skipping the paint on it, at least for now. The painted area looks so much better, I may just reconsider.

Inside the seats are getting a light color, with a dark khaki above the rivet line and bed liner below. One of the four cans of bed liner was a dud and my wife?s nephew?s girlfriend went into labor, so the job isn?t quite finished, but here are shots to date:
IMG_3288.jpg

IMG_3289.jpg


In case that wasn't clear, I am now a Great Uncle. I was always a good Uncle before, but now . . .

As you can see, I still need to tape off and finish. The wife is at the hospital, enjoying being a great aunt and I am watching our 17 month old. So the project is on hold until after work sessions are available later this week.

A couple notes:
? The self etching primer was great, but coverage is suspect. Several coats are needed, which took 6 cans for this boat and I did not prime where the bed liner is being sprayed.
? The spray in bed liner is a mess to work with and the coverage stinks, but it is the coolest area to the touch, even in direct Arizona sun.
? If you are going to use this many spray cans, one of the trigger add-ons is a great purchase. After about 6 cans I could not press the spray tips down any longer.
? Washing the boat with a pressure washer, followed by a 50/50 vinegar bath had amazing results. The oxidation almost completely disappeared.
? Glovit sets up really fast @ 110 degrees. Working time was more like 30 minutes rather than the 90 it says on the can.

I hope to finish up this week and get it out over the weekend. I?ll post more pics as things progress.

A word of thanks ? Tashasdaddy, DJ, CATransplant, Mr.Stuart, Warlord and everyone else who has posted anything to do with aluminum boats, thank you. I would not have touched this project without your instruction and information.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

I used spray cans to paint mine. I would NEVER do that again. It's fine for the smaller inside areas but for the outside it just took way too much paint. I think I could have paid Maaco to paint it for what I spent on rattle cans. I'll be rolling/tipping the next time for sure. Plus the overspray gave me a much duller finish than I would have liked.
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,936
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

For a proper job, good preparation is important- do it right and the paint job will last a long time. I did my 14' Jonboat 3 years ago and it's holding up just fine (I'll post a picture when I get home). I used a high quality (3 part) automotive enamel from NAPA.

Here 'ya go:
OnNewTrailer003.jpg
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

Lookin good, there! I keep planning to paint my old tinny, but it's either fishing season or winter. Maybe one of these years. :D
 

AZMinyard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
165
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

Wouldn't you know it - two rainy days, no progress. Hope to finish the bed liner and post more pics shortly!
 

pkrainert

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
196
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

looks great so far! i need to paint the inside of mine.
 

AZMinyard

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 26, 2008
Messages
165
Re: Aluminum boat paint job

Amidst stormy weather, I not only managed to get the boat finished but also procured a trailer ? less than the cost of the Harbor Freight trailer by 25% and appears to be better. Of course, I have no clue when it comes to trailers, but would be happy to hear opinions on ?Nationwide Trailer? if anyone has one.

IMG_3301.jpg


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Next step is to put the numbers on, install the seats, mount the motor, build a transom mount rod holder, build a bracket to hold the battery and gas tank, get a boat cover and hopefully get it on the water soon!
 
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