carpet on aluminum

[kevkc123]

Hey everybody.<br /><br />I have a 12ft mirrocraft(rowboat) that is bare on the inside. I'd like to put carpet on the floor and up the sides to minimize noise while fishing. Do you have any suggestions as to what adhesive to use due to aluminum's tendancy to expand and contract with temp changes? Where to get it and damage to the pocketbook would be great to know!<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Bigfun]

Re: carpet on aluminum

I used petro. based outdoor carpet glue (homedepot), with excellent results.

 

[Bondo]

Re: carpet on aluminum

3M Super77........

 

[18rabbit]

Re: carpet on aluminum

Personally, I would not glue carpet onto an aluminum surface. <br /><br />Aluminum gets its resistance to corrosion by bonding with oxygen molecules in the air. Putting carpet in there will allow moisture to be held against the aluminum and as the moisture becomes stale it will pull the protective O2 from the aluminum surface…and it’s all down hill from there. It’s the same problem with putting flotation foam around an aluminum fuel tank… not recommended. <br /><br />I suggest you either use carpet that is removable… and remove it after every use …or paint the inside your boat with something that will make a complete and permanent bond with the aluminum, like Durabak, a thick, rubberized, non-skid paint. It should reduce noise. Durabak adhears to aluminum and does not require a primer.<br /><br /> http://www.nonslipcoating.com/marine.htm <br /><br />The only effective primer that bonds with aluminum is zinc chromate primer. Perhaps someone else can suggest another paintable product with more sound insulating properties or an appropriate undercoating you can apply before gluing in the carpeting, if that is something you still want to do.

 

[Bigfun]

Re: carpet on aluminum

Kevin, I glued mine to a painted surface. On a side note why not put a flat floor in? Forget about the sides, most noise is going to come from the floor and gunnels.

 

[Brian J]

Re: carpet on aluminum

Hey there tell ya one thing you could do. Grap some alluminum paint and add some sand to the paint can. Shake it really good and swab your deck with it. Don't go for anything really shiny or glossy though traffic well eventually break it down. Keep your left over and apply later store the can upside down and flip it ever other time you visit it. Hope that helps ya matey!

 

[kevkc123]

Re: carpet on aluminum

thanks guys, I'll look into that durabak stuff to seal the aluminum from the elements and the put carpet down. Or maybe I'll use sandy paint like brian said, whatever. As far as a flat floor goes, the boat is too shallow for that. At the transom the bottom of the boat is only about a foot from the top of the sides. I will post again after I figure out what I am going to try. Thanks again!