Bottom paint question for Aluminum

[I_5320]

Hey All,

Been reading up on the threads and still a confused on repainting a 16 ft 85 Sylvan Aluminum.

Hoping to get some basic questions answered and I'll get back to the research.

Is bottom paint and Antifouling the same?
My hull is not dull or chalky. Does that mean I don't have special hull paint?
Do most stock aluminum boats come with special hull paint?

Finally,, it looks like I can use any above waterline paint if I trailer. My issue is while on vacation 1-2 times a year I leave my boat in water for a week and may want to for 2 weeks. Freshwater only. I would think this is common so it leads me to think most aluminum boats have a below waterline paint and i should repaint with the same?

My current paint is in pretty good shape so I don't feel I need to go to the metal but it is riveted and am half tempted to just repaint above waterline.

Any Advice is welcome.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Welcome to iBoats!
If you are always in Fresh water and not going to leave her in the water for more than two weeks then IMHO you do NOT need Bottom or AnitFouling paint. You can paint her with any good quality marine paint. You can even use Acrylic Enamel Paint with Hardener. Rustoleum and Valspar are two commonly used here on the forum. Check the link in my signature below for some additional info.

 

[I_5320]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Woodonglass,

Thanks for the reply and appreciate the advice. Seen your threads and will be reading up a bit.

Last question for a while. Roll & Tip with Pan head rivets. Will it work or is spraying my best option?



Mark W.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Spraying, IMHO is always the best option if you have the equipment and can protect the environment from the overspray. Having said that, you should take a look at lakelovers tinny paint job. He did the roll n' roll and it turned out fantastic.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Thanks, Wood, but I couldn't have done it without ya!

l_5320, I was in the same place you are. I'd never painted a boat before, and researched painting aluminum until my brain hurt. With the help of info here on the forum and lots of encouragement, I went ahead and gave it a shot.

I found the roll & roll method a lot easier than I had expected, and was pleased with the results. In my own case, I never could have succeeded tipping with a brush, just couldn't get the hang of it. Painting over the rivets with the roller presented virtually no issues, just be careful of runs and it will look great. Temp/humidity have a lot to do with the success of a paint job too. The weather varied some over the few days I painted, and some coats went on easier than others.

 

[I_5320]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Lakelover, Great thread!! I was up late last night and only got halfway through your original. So I'm curious. Looks like you chose EasyPoxy and the survey was showing Rustoleum at the top of the polls.

I did read a lot of concerns on curing time on Rustolem. Seems some people feel it's a good durable paint once cured. Can you not use a hardener with it?

Looking to go Midnight Blue if I can find a paint. Thinking rolling is best option for me.

Any advice is welcome.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Check the link in my signature below for painting. I have used Rustoleum with the hardener a lot, but since have switched to Valspars Tractor Paint(both of them are acrylic enamel paint) and their Hardener. No real reason other than keeping it "All in the family" so to speak with MFG's. All the details and application methodology is discussed. Lakelover used EasyPoxy but he Did add the hardener to it as well. SEM make a quality Self Etching primer for any bare spots on the aluminum you might encounter.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Thanks, yup it's a long one! There's the short version in the Completed Projects board.

I did have some trouble with the cure on the Rustoleum in the interior (did not add hardener), but after a lot of time passed, it toughened up and has held up well.

As far as the Easypoxy, after studying several options, I chose it based on my research, process info availability and price. And color choice, I really wanted burgundy, or as it actually turned out, a darker red. At that time, I just didn't have faith in Rusto, but now I would give it a try. I believe you can add the Valspar hardener to just about any brand solvent-based enamel. I would recommend using Woodonglass's formula with the paint, hardener & thinnner.

When I was doing the rolling, I was surprised to learn that the sound of the roller is as useful when you are doing it, as what it looks like.

Good luck and I'll be interested to see how it goes.

 

[I_5320]

Re: Bottom paint question for Aluminum

Thanks guy's,, just finished the short version..

I have a little time before the weather warms up to paint. Need to ponder all the info but thinking I'll be using the woodonglass mix.

Transom is doing a final cure after several coats of epoxy. All info I got from the tread.(FYI I like Titebond poly glue. Twice the working time of Gorilla and not nearly the expansion) A tip form my neighbor who installs wood floors

Next it plugging a live well intake and few rusty screws form previous mounts and do a leak test to see how she holds water.