Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

[raidercoop]

Hello All,
I am ready to start painting an aluminum 14' v Jon boat and would appreciate any suggestions on the process, materials, etc. The boat will not stay in the water. (i.e.) it will trailered after every fishing trip. What are the pros vs cons when it comes to brushing vs rolling. What types of paint are recommended. And finally what preparation steps should I take with the suface prior to painting. I have completely stripped all the old paint with a stripper and good ole elbow grease. Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks Guys!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

If you want the paint to stick and stay on.... vinegar wash the boat and prime with a zinc chromate primer. You can spend your money on high grade paint however, rustoleum will work fine since you are trailering.

Application is totally your choice. Roll & tip works, spraying works, and even a brush will provide a fair finish. Anticipate two coats.

Do a search in this section for paint and there is ton's of info.

Did you know we are addicted to photo's here! Get an account (free) on photobucket.com and take lot's of before after shots.

Bob

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

Quick question,,,,what is roll and tip? I get the roll part but what is tipping? I know I know it is a city in China LOL
Seriously I have heard of it but how do you do it, for some reason I cannot search? Thanks

 

[gewf631]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

How about a Google search?

 

[raidercoop]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

Hey Gentlemen,
I spoke with a guy at a local marine store today and he said that since i will only be putting my boat in fresh water then I do not need to use a zinc chromate primer. Well thats all good, but now I am confused. to zinc or not to zinc??? arrgh! What are the benefits of Zinc Chromate vs an automotive primer? not to mention the fact that there are not a lot of stores around here that stock it anyway, everyone has to have shipped in. And you know that inflates the price even more than it already is. So please help me, which is it? Zinc Chromate or Automotive primer.

 

[gewf631]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

You're painting a 14' Jon boat, so we're not talking very much surface area. Don't know your intended use of this boat (are you gonna "camo" it, or do you want a finish that rivals most cars?), so you'll have to consider those factors as you look to take-on this project.

You also didn't mention the state of any paint on the boat. If the whole thing is already painted, and that paint isn't flaking or worn off, just clean well, and paint over the existing paint.

If you go to a local paint store (or even the larger home improvement stores), they should have a primer for alumium, as well as a top coat to be used with that primer. Rustoleum makes some, so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

If you're asking for opinions, my time is quite valuable, so I'd only want to do this once. I'd get the zinc primer, a good quality exterior paint, and roll-and-tip to get a decent finish.

 

[raidercoop]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

Hello again gentlemen,

The paint that was on the boat was flaking in some areas and just basically coming off to the touch in other areas. So what I have done is stripped and sanded all of the paint to the metal and I'm planning on having it painted. I do not have the facilties or the ability to paint with an air sprayer. My plans were to find a roll on primer so that all that needs to be done is for the boat be painted. I am well aware that because of the pits, dents and gouges in the metal that I will not get a auto like finish, but believe me anything is better than what it looked like.
Thanks for the tip about the home improvement store I will definitely check it out. I agree with you gewf631 I only want to deal with this process once that is why I'm feeling out all of the options, but I also don't want to do any unnecessary work. Seeing as how I have been busting my rear trying to strip this boat down to bare metal through 5 coats of paint.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

i did my 1961 14' Lonestar Commander with Home Depot 99cent a can spray paint, it's been 3 years with no problem. red and white outside, and gray inside, total $26.00. just used it on the gunnels of my 17' Blue Fin.

 

[Maritime Matt]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

Hello All,
I am ready to start painting an aluminum 14' v Jon boat and would appreciate any suggestions on the process, materials, etc. The boat will not stay in the water. (i.e.) it will trailered after every fishing trip. What are the pros vs cons when it comes to brushing vs rolling. What types of paint are recommended. And finally what preparation steps should I take with the suface prior to painting. I have completely stripped all the old paint with a stripper and good ole elbow grease. Any help/suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanks Guys!

 

[Maritime Matt]

Re: Newbie needs advice painting an aluminum 14 v??

I just redid my 1975 Duranautic 14 offshore. Using my many years of bodyshop experience here's how I did it: Hull was painted over by brush by previous owner so it had a couple of coats on it. Using air and electric powered sanders, grinders and wire wheels, I stripped it to bare aluminum. I used Dupont Self-etching primer, then followed with a couple of coats of Dupont Fill n Sand primer. I wet sanded that , wiped it down with Dupont 3812 Fast Dry Enamel Reducer to remove all sanding residue and contamination. I topcoated it with Dupont Centari Acrylic Enamel with the Correct Hardener. The finish came out Beautiful. I sprayed it outside in my driveway on a day with very little wind. On the inside of the boat, I machine and hand sanded it and sprayed that with Valspar Severe Weather Aluminum Siding Paint that I had leftover from my house. That has held up very well. I use the boat in salt water. The hull bottom did not get painted. Only from the spray deflector up. Any questions feel free to ask. Capt. Matt.