Another thread about painting aluminum!

[xltom]

I bought a little 12' Aluminum Seaking by Wards for five hundred bucks. It had been painted on the inside but the paint was mostly flaked off.

I decided to strip the paint off and keep it bare aluminum but to my dismay, I found that all the seams had epoxy(grey) in them..So I considered my options:brazing, bed-liner, silicone ect... While researching, I found this site . I decided to go with GLUVIT and paint on the inside(thanks for all the great posts)

I've got most of the paint out but I unfortunately used aircraft remover on the advice of an auto paint buddy. Now I could use some advice/clarification on the preparation process...

I bought acetone to get out all the aircraft remover(rustoleum suggested this or xylene because I want to be sure it's gone, one shot deal). This would be used after sanding and simple green cleaning...

Next I would use vinegar solution to acid etch, but here is where I am unclear....should I rinse the vinegar off with water or just wipe it out with clean towels? There are obviously impurities in tap water like calcium ect... so I'm guessing that's not the way! Also, how long should I allow the vinegar to act on the aluminum?

Then I would apply Gluvit, and here I am unclear again.....when I rough up/sand the gluvit, how should I clean up the mess....without contaminating the aluminum or gluvit?

Next I'd prime with zinc chromate....if I can find it, and paint(still have'nt found a good/cheap paint)....Any help or input would be appreciated so I'll recap my questions:

1. Should I rinse or wipe out the vinegar soln.?
2. How long should the vinegar be allowed to work?
3. After sanding Gluvit, how should I clean up?


Sorry to beat a dead horse here but I don't want to have to do this twice!!!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Welcome to iboats!!

Vinegar works or you can purchase some alodine, there are some primers from napa that have zinc chromate in them and somone might have the part # to post it.

You really will not see much of a reaction from the vinegar and you just let it evaporate dry....... Just wipe it down.

The gluvit is just used on seams and rivets. It takes an eternity to dry (just kidding 24 hrs in good weather)..... make sure when you prime that the primer is compatible for epoxy to go over the gluvit.

A good cheap paint to finish it all off is rustoleum.

Okay.....

1. Should I rinse or wipe out the vinegar soln.? No just let it dry....
2. How long should the vinegar be allowed to work? till it dries up
3. After sanding Gluvit, how should I clean up? Just wipe away the dust and be sure the surface where the gluvit is exposed is scuffed up


Sorry to beat a dead horse here but I don't want to have to do this twice!!!! Hmmmm that is the primary hobby of some of the people here!! Beating dead horses

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Thank you,
Did you mean rustoleum "top coat marine" as mentioned on the other thread or just good old rustoleum paint?


Another thought(anyone?).....Should I mask off the seams before applying gluvit to make it look pretty, or just brush it in the best I can? How thick does it look when cured?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Rustoleum or the marine one (really no difference )

The gluvit is best applied with a small 1" brush (a cheap one but not foam)..... it looks clear to gray tinted when dry. Apply lightly since it likes to creep so if you tilt the hull a touch and let it creep/flow into the seam. When you mix the gluvit.....mix it for a few minutes and you have plenty of working time.

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

The gluvit is just used on seams and rivets. It takes an eternity to dry (just kidding 24 hrs in good weather)..... make sure when you prime that the primer is compatible for epoxy to go over the gluvit.

OOffaaa thats a true statement..make sure you keep it 60-65 for a few days at least..or it will be tacky for quite some time..(experience):redface:

Napa part # 7222 Zinc Chromate..A couple quarts of regular rustoleum and your good to go..Wow..a paint job for $19.00..Thats a good deal eh?

I have 4 coats Rustoleum on mine and despite some imperfections in my hull..the paint looks fantastic.

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Pauly,
Thanks for the reply.....I was looking at napa's catalog and came across the MSDS:http://partimages.genpt.com/partimages/871604.pdf

Looks like there isn't any zinc chromate actually in it at all, even though it's called "zincrom primer".....

Don't know what to think about that........I've seen a brand called "moeller's" online..I'll try to find the msds for that one...(edit) nope, that one's got lead chromate.....I think they made the stuff that the military used for aircraft illegal or something.... Anyway, if the napa stuff worked for you, I'll give it a whirl.....

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Theres been a half dozen people here that have used it. My paint hasn't fallen off yet!!
I used the 7222, then 2 coats of Rustoleum Aluminum Primer, then paint.

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Why'd you use 2 different primers? The Napa was compatible with epoxy correct?

"a paintjob for $19"


I wish!!! So far:

3 cans of aircraft remover= $27
1 quart of gluvit= $42
1 gallon of acetone $17
220 grit sandpaper $10 (mouse pads)
2 wire brush attachments for dremel tool=$10
2 paint rollers (9" and 4")=$6

Still to go:
2-3 cans primer=$???
1-2 quarts of rustoleum=$???
1-2 gallons of vinegar=$???

Almost $200 total I bet!!!!! on a $500 boat.....I used to know a chopshop that painted cars for $200!!!!

oh yeah, i bought all new stainless hardware too $$$$$$

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

I used the 2 coats of Aluminum Primer to fill in a bunch of dings . Worked out well

I checked the sparay can on the 7222 and it says specifically for etching for aluminum. Check out my thread at the bottom and you will see whhat I started with and how it progressed.

I also bought all new bolts/washers lock nuts. All stainless...the woman at HD rung em up as mild steel...

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Great work on the boat...I thought I'd share a pic or two as well. These are the only pics I have from before I started stripping paint. The wide shot is the pic from the ad on craig's list. The close-up is of the transom from the inside. I had just removed the rotten piece of wood that was in there. You can see what's left of a baby blue paintjob with white splatter.

I'll take some pics later of how it looks now.....
(edit) I bought these seats yesterday so I guess the boat will be green and tan!!!

they wil be on 7" pedestals(17" from the floor)

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Question about applying gluvit!!!

I plan to use my quart in 3 or 4 applications tipping the hull to maximize gravity pulling the pruduct deep into the seams.....but the directions say to mix it all at once or mix by volume: 5 parts resin to 1 part catalyst.. OK but the weight on the resin is 815 grams and the catalyst is 113 grams. Hardly 5 to 1...I know this is weight not volume but that's pretty far off!

Anybody wanna share your experience mixing smaller amounts???? What'd you use to measure and mix in? Did you have leftovers of one or the other(resin/catalyst)???

 

[erikpn]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Question about applying gluvit!!!

I plan to use my quart in 3 or 4 applications tipping the hull to maximize gravity pulling the pruduct deep into the seams.....but the directions say to mix it all at once or mix by volume: 5 parts resin to 1 part catalyst.. OK but the weight on the resin is 815 grams and the catalyst is 113 grams. Hardly 5 to 1...I know this is weight not volume but that's pretty far off!

Anybody wanna share your experience mixing smaller amounts???? What'd you use to measure and mix in? Did you have leftovers of one or the other(resin/catalyst)???

I just estimated, and it hardened just fine. Gluvit does not work well on the rivets for the ribs from inside the boat. It creeps, but it's not magic and doesn't seem to get all around those rivets well. The aluminum of the ribs prevented it from getting to the aluminum of the hull. I resealed those from the outside of the boat.

 

[PaulyV]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

I just estimated, and it hardened just fine. Gluvit does not work well on the rivets for the ribs from inside the boat. It creeps, but it's not magic and doesn't seem to get all around those rivets well. The aluminum of the ribs prevented it from getting to the aluminum of the hull. I resealed those from the outside of the boat.

I had no problem at all with the gluvit on the rivets..how did the rib stop it from getting to the hull?? What was on the hull you needed to Gluvit?

ltom go look at EZ's thread My thread..This stuff spread like the plague on my rivets!

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

I fully got what he was saying about the ribs...My boat has 6 or 7 strips of angle(90) alum. that go across the hull(side to side) for strength. The hull is not stamped for rigidity and is just curved sheet metal. Just sealing the top of the rivet on those rails would not seal anything but I planned on sealing the edge where the rib and hull meet too..Don't know how he knew about my ribs though.......

I got another guy on my fishing forum telling me I have to use 3m 5200 on seams and rivets first before gluvit. Can anyone confirm or dispute this....he is a boat repair guy and has a website...Check out the thread if you have a minute...just start on page 2:

http://www.oregonfishingforum.com/boats-motors/8409-aluminum-boat-seams-2.html

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

PaulyV,
How bout a link to "ez's thread". I couldn't find it. By the way, aren't you that guy from "Jersey Shore"???(kidding)

 

[erikpn]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

I had no problem at all with the gluvit on the rivets..how did the rib stop it from getting to the hull?? What was on the hull you needed to Gluvit?

ltom go look at EZ's thread My thread..This stuff spread like the plague on my rivets!

The rivets on the ribs go through aluminum of the hull, then through the rib.

Like this

=0=

imagine the rivet as the 0 and the top - of the equal signs as aluminum of the ribs, and the bottom _ as the aluminum of the hull.

The aluminum of the ribs which is on top of the aluminum of the hull will act like an umbrella and prevents anything from reaching where the shaft of the rivet and the aluminum of the hull meet, if gluvit is applied from the inside. If there is a space allowing leak between the bottom _ and the shaft of the rivet, this has to be sealed from the outside of the hull. I confirmed this with leak tests before and after gluviting. More gluvit applied to rivet from the outside of the hull fixed the drip.

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Erikpn,
What do you think about sealing around the edges of the ribs from the inside? How bad does the gluvit look on the outside?....don't want to paint it!!!

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

More like this!! =I=

 

[erikpn]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Erikpn,
What do you think about sealing around the edges of the ribs from the inside? How bad does the gluvit look on the outside?....don't want to paint it!!!

Do you have a deck in the boat? If so don't do it.. you need drainage in the ribs so water that gets in the boat can make its way to the bilge pump or drain. Otherwise, feel free to try. It might take a ton of gluvit though, the stuff is viscous.

The gluvit is almost unnoticeable on the outside, since it's clear and the ribs are on the very bottom of the boat anyways.

But you won't be able to avoid painting the boat. Epoxies are resistant to a lot of things, but plain UV can break it down. If it's exposed to sunlight, you should paint it to provide uv protection.

 

[xltom]

Re: Another thread about painting aluminum!

Yeah, I'm sealin and painting the INSIDE of the boat but the outside looks good bare aluminum......I was thinking, every seam has a row of rivets running along it so I might mask off a 2 or 3 inch strip including both seam and row of rivets and just paint on the gluvit and remove the tape.....seems easier than going over each rivet individually. I could do the ribs the same way, using the vertical part of the rib as a border too.

My ribs have a gap at each corner where the wall hits the floor at a sharp angle, the ribs curve slow there...leaving a gap.......no risk of pluggin that up. I bought a bilge pump but I don't think it will do much...the water level has to be almost 2 inches before it'll kick on....never really had that much in the boat..I won't install it unless I need it I think....My boat has no drain!!!! I am thinking of cutting a hole and using a bulkhead fitting with rubber gaskets to create one...so the boat doesn't fill up with water while I'm driving in the rain(oregon)

No deck in the boat now but I had considered a very low one to keep my feet dry.....weight is an issue since I bought "Big Man" seats with swivels and pedastals.......total weight limit is 600lbs. I weigh 260....my dog is about 90lbs...seats probably weigh 60-70lbs. all together.

I'm still working on cleaning up the epoxy that was there before....I tried acetone today as well as the aircraft remover and I even tried easy-off oven cleaner.......I think I'll go back to scraping with a sharp knife, wire brush and sanding........UNLESS any one has a better idea!!!!