aluminum cleaner?

[MAN AND A BOAT]

Here is a picture of my first boat (recently purchased). I want to do a total restore. I have a few questions before starting this project. Notice the top is painted. Can I just rough up the paint and primer with zinc chromate? Can someone recommend a good aluminum cleaner for the bottom? Also I will probably remove the trailer paint with a wire brush attachment on my grinder. Afterwards do I need self etching paint on the trailer? Any help will be greatly appreciated. I have done alot of reading in these forums and you folks seem to really know your stuff. I will also post pics of my progress.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

Thats a nice little boat.
Some guys use Citri-Strip with good results.
Others have used heavy duty aircraft stripper.
If the original paint is good, you can scuff it, wipe down and paint.
My boat was painted over the old good paint, btw.

 

[MAN AND A BOAT]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

Thats a nice little boat.
Some guys use Citri-Strip with good results.
Others have used heavy duty aircraft stripper.
If the original paint is good, you can scuff it, wipe down and paint.
My boat was painted over the old good paint, btw.

Thank you for the response Kev

 

[stalker14]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

To clean the aluminum you can use a phosporic acid type cleaner (you can find it in the paint department of the hardware store) that will remove light corrosion but, you may need to use a SS wire bush (don't use plain steel) on any heavy stuff.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

Welcome to iBoats!
I'd recommend scuffing the paint with a light sanding with 80 grit. Any/all bare aluminum must be primed with Self Etching primer. I like Moellers. After that all areas being painted should be primed with a good bare metal primer. Rustoleum makes a good one. You prime over the SE primer as well. Lightly wet sand the final coat of primer with 220grit and you're ready to paint. Page #10 of my "My Flamingo" thread has all the details on how to paint your aluminum boat using Valspar paint and the added hardener. Really great stuff.
For the trailer I'd use a grinder with a rubber backup pad and 36 grit resin coated sanding discs. It will take the paint off like hot butter. I'd paint the trailer using bare metal primer and the Valspar paint. No need for SE primer unless the trailer is aluminum.

 

[Star]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

Hey Man,
I don't know how bad the bottom of your boat is but I used a right angle grinder with a lambs wool pad and a coarse rubbing compound to clean mine in 4 hours. I gained almost 2 mph and you can take it to a mirrored finish if you like. It is very messy and your arms will be tired when you are done but it holds up well and there are no additional paint costs. If you are in salt though I would paint.
Good Luck!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

That looks like a "home-made" paint job on your boat and I wouldn't trust it. You'd probably be better off removing all of the paint and checking for leaks, and then repaint after any leaks are fixed. Some people have a bad habit of trying to stop tinnies from leaking with a coat of paint... it doesn't work.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

aircraft striper,and sand paper

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: aluminum cleaner?

hit up your local HVAC supply house. get aluminum coil cleaner such as pink stuff.

you spray it on. let it sit. as soon as it starts to turn black, rinse with lots of water.

http://www.highsidechem.com/pinkstf.html