Aluminum boat repair questions

[delayed]

Hi,
I got a Mckenzie boat that needs some love. I got the bottom, sides, and top stripped. It did not leak before but I found a few rivets with silicon around them. I think I should coat the bottom with something before I paint. I have looked around and see many people suggest Gluvit. It this a good route to take for the bottom of the boat? And if so what paint brand/type would be suggested to go over the top of the Gluvit? I was thinking about painting the bottom water level side and leave the top of the boat aluminum unpainted. I have looked around for paint types and there are a large number to pick from. Looking for some suggestions. Thinking about painting the bottom white.

Also the transom needs replacing. I have found several threads with images and some info. Does anyone have a favorite thread for replacing a Aluminum boat transom? It would be my first time doing this and feel I can handle it with some instructions. Any tips for remove of the rivets/where to start?

As for the inside of the boat, any tips for paint removal and what to repaint it with? It is the original paint inside. I used chemical and some hand wire brushes to do the outside/under. I have a angle grinder that could be of use. I was thinking about sanding the outside/under with a sander to have a bit of grip for the paint.

Thanks for any tips or links, [h=1][/h]

 

[adcampbe]

Is your boat an I/O or outboard. I replaced the transom in my starcraft islander and there was a thread that specifically addressed the starcrafts. Maybe there is a thread for a boat that is similar (in the transom area) to yours. I did not find replacing the transom hard, but it did take me quite a bit of time.

 

[goatnad]

I used aircraft paint remover from auto zone and steel wool to strip the paint off of my boat. Inside and out. That stuff made it super easy. Becareful and have a water hose handy. If you get any of it on you it will start burning in seconds. I also had some leaking with my boat from the seams and I used gluvit to seal it. It worked like a charm. Others will also recommend jb weld but I went the gluvit route so I could easily remove it if need be. Jb weld will take forever to get off. Fill your boat with a little water and see where it is leaking. Use a marker and mark the leaks. Then apply your gluvit. For the transom use this forum to possibly find someone who has replaced the transom on a boat like yours or post some pictures of it and I'm sure someone will offer help. I replaced mine and all it took was removing about 10 to 20 rivets and my transom board was out. For the paint I went with rustoleum marine paint and it has turned out great. For painting everyone on here told me prep is the main key to a good paint job and boy were they right. I sanded with 150 grit then washed with white vinegar and then water. After that I used self etching primer and light sanded that with a scotchbright pad. Washed then sprayed 2 coats of the rustoleum marine paint.

 

[delayed]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I am on the right track. I have seen some threads with a transom replacement but wanted to make sure I am not missing anything. The boat is an outboard 40 hp mercury. 402 from 1978 I think. Is there an easy method for taking off the rivets? I will have to take the water tray off first to get to the backside of the transom. Other non boat projects I have always drilled out rivets, but these seem to look just a bit different for some reason.

 

[64osby]

Posting some pictures of the transom, splashwell and the boat would help all here to see what you are dealing with. That and there are many tin heads here that love old aluminum boats.

Pretty sure Dozer posted that using a sharp chisel on the solid rivets makes easy work of it. And yes it does, as i have removed a few. Then you tap or punch out the head.

Gluvit is most often used on the interior seams and rivets. Great product IMO. It does need to be painted because it doesn't like UV rays. Can't think of anyone that has used it on the outside seam.

I like JB Weld for small holes, sealing rivets and feathering dings in the hull.

 

[Tnstratofam]

There is a link to my Starcraft transom replacement in my sig line. It is pretty straight forward. Good luck and post up some pics when you get time.