Painting Aluminum boat....paint suggestions

[dwhughes]

I'm sure this has been discussed multiple times but I'm having trouble finding it in old threads.

I have a 14x48 flatbottom boat I am going to strip and repaint. Need suggestions on paint to use. Should I prime with a self etching primer. New to the game and trying to learn before I dive in and do it right the first time. Thanks

 

[zool]

I'm sure this has been discussed multiple times but I'm having trouble finding it in old threads.

I have a 14x48 flatbottom boat I am going to strip and repaint. Need suggestions on paint to use. Should I prime with a self etching primer. New to the game and trying to learn before I dive in and do it right the first time. Thanks

If ur gonna strip it bare, then yes, u need to etch it. You can use a Zink Chromate primer, and Epoxy primer, or A Wash Primer, or Alodyne/Alumiprep.

Zink will be the least expensive and easiest to obtain, and works just fine under most paints.
When u choose a paint system, look to see what they recommend for bare aluminum substrate, its best to stay chemically compatible if possible.