Hopefully simple aluminum paint question

[dcf1999]

Hello all!

I’m re-doing the interior of my brothers boat and I’m looking to re-paint it. It’s just a older fishing boat so I’m not looking for a $300 paint job. Interior is already coated and in good condition except for a small area of bare metal from where the livewell used to be. I have a couple questions:

1.) I have a two part epoxy primer (Nason ful-poxy) that I was going to use. Can I just use the primer as the topcoat? Spray 2-3 “wet” coats. I like the flat sheen and color of the primer. Do I really “need” to put a topcoat over the primer? Will it hold up over time?

2.) looking at Totalboat brand aluminum boat paint. Claims you can spray right over bare metal without primer. Anyone familiar with this brand or paint? Is it good? It is a water-based one-part paint.

Thanks!

Dave

 

[Lightwin 3]

Paint does not adhere well to bare aluminum.

Do this first, on bare spots.

1. Wash with 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar.

2. Prime with Zinc Chromate paint.

Otherwise, paint will adhere fine to previously painted surfaces.

 

[Scott Danforth]

find a woodonglass post and look at his signature. he has a whole process of painting boats using tractor paint and hardener. can do a tinny for about $100

 

[dcf1999]

Ok... so I guess my question is if I can just prime the interior and leave it primed (if I like the look of it) I.e. No top coat. Would the “just primer” finish hold up well?

I understand the actual procedure to paint the aluminum, I was just curious as to the need for a topcoat or if the undercoat would suffice.

The primer I’m using is an epoxy 2k primer (Nason ful-poxy) and according to the TDS it sticks exceptionally well to bare aluminun. According to the data sheet, Aluminum prep consists of a light scuffing of the aluminum the shooting the paint after a solvent wash to remove all contaminants. The prior TDS suggested to etch wash the aluminum with their brand “aluminum etch wash” but they since updated the data sheet and removed that step and discontinued the acid wash product (as far as I see). Maybe they found the acid etch wasn’t needed for that primer... I don’t know.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Primer's sole purpose is a method to get paint to stick. it needs a topcoat to seal it.

you need a self-etching primer, I suggest a zinc phosphate primer which is designed for aluminum

 

[Grub54891]

I used tractor paint on my pontoon. Year 2 will begin soon time will tell if it holds up well. I wax it every spring. The key is getting the surface prepared properly.

 

[Woodonglass]

Any bare aluminium must be primed with self etching primer. All original paint that is still adhered well then a light sanding with 100 grit and then primered will ready the boat for final paint.

Primer Paint will NOT wear well and scratches easily.