help painting an aluminum boat

[jwilkey84]

I have a 1955 arkansas traveler 14' aluminum boat. I am in the process of getting it down to bare metal and repainting it. I thought I knew what I was doing, but I have read some stuff that makes me wonder if I am going to do it the right way. I have taken most of the paint off, the rest I figure is on good enough that it can just stay. I also have some interlux 360R underwater metal primer. The paint I am using is an acrylic resin lacquer for marine use. My question is do I have the right stuff? Do I need to coat the aluminum with something before the primer to make it stick? I mean, that's what I always thought primer was for but I have read about a conversion coat, what is that? My plan was to get off most of the old paint, clean off the dust particles, primer it, and then paint it. Is that right? Do I need a clearcoat on top of the acrylic resin lacquer?

 

[brownies]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

Sand it all down smooth. The sanding will make the primer stick. (if there are places that the primer does not stick, or does not go on smooth, it means something under it is not right).<br /> I won't pull the trigger on a spray gun if I see a bottle of armor-all in the shop. Same scenario with a kerosene or diesel shop heater.<br /> Painting over non compatible stuff will usually show up as "fisheye" look or a "krinkle" finish.<br /> I don't know if the materials you chose are compatible. Odds are, they are. Although, used to have trouble with laquer (it liked to eat up other types of paint and/or vice versa) causing a "krinkle" looking finish. OR...the same effect that paint stripper would have on whatever was under it.<br /> Primer is suppossed to act as a sealer in between old stuff and new stuff preventing that from happenning though.<br /> No clearcoat will be needed. "Most" clearcoats are to be used as part of a "system" specifically designed for them. (where you MUST use them in order to obtain a shiney finish)

 

[brownies]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

IF you have not bought the materials. Save yourself some money (or spend more?). Make it easier.<br /> Sand your boat with water and wet-or-dry 600 grit sandpaper. (water hose on low while sanding).<br /> Once finished, wash the boat with running water and RED scotchbrite pads. (TWICE).<br /> Use DP-40 non sanding primer/sealer and a single stage automotive paint. (or a two stage "base clear" system).<br /> One stop at an automotive paint store and they can sell you all the stuff you need and tell you how to mix it.<br /> Just be sure to apply the color within 24hrs of applying the DP-40, or...you will have to sand it to get the paint to adhere correctly.<br /><br /> On an aluminum boat...if you want shiney...pick a Light color. The darker and/or shinier the color, the more EVERY little imperfection will show. You will find dings,dents, scratches, you never knew were there...and it will be too late to do anything about them at that point.

 

[tld]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

use a vinyl wash primer on the boat first then put your color

 

[shipoffools]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

For lots of good information use the search function. Check a post from Oct 18 2003 titled "Painting Aluminum Boat" (sorry can't get it to link) I used this simple method to paint a badly aged 18' Starcraft last year I'm a lousy painter but the boat came out pretty good.

 

[xxxxxx]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

I just finished painting the hull. I sanded 80 grit and left most paint on just before put paint on went over it by hand with 120 grit just to smooth out areas and take off any oxidation that may have formed.<br />I than used 2 coats of Pre Kote sanding between coats with 220 grit.<br />Than 2 coats of Brightside ..Sanded first coat<br />Products used where Interlux this way all layers bond to each other.<br />Used a foam 4” roller and tipped with a brush…turned out great <br />In Yahoo chat there is a room for Starcraft boats, I’ve posted pictures there .<br />Final coat picture not posed yet got to take it<br />May it go well for you.

 

[dbm20th]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

In many, many cases, simply grinding aluminum does not make a surface good enough to adhere paint to. Sometime yes, sometimes no. If you can sandblast, that is usually alot better.<br /><br />So what you are left with is an etching primer, zinc chromate or Vinylux Primewash. but the problem there is that they will remove paint they are exposed to. The only way around it is to go back to bear metal, etch it, and prime and paint.

 

[PastorMikH]

Re: help painting an aluminum boat

If you want a great surface for paint to stick to I suggest Jasco's Prep and Primer. http://www.jasco-help.com/products/prod_mg.htm <br /><br />I have done a couple of aluminum boats, and when I got my 16' V I wanted a paint job that wouldn't scratch so easily. I did some research on the net and learned about this stuff. It is WELL WORTH using!<br /><br />I used commercial stripper on the boat, and took the old paint off with a angle grinder equipped with a wire brush wheel. I then washed the boat down with sopa and water, sprayed this stuff on, washed it off again, and painted with rustoleum - didn't even use primer. The paint job has held up for 3 years. I have scratches in the paint from use but it has not scratched off the metal.