Painting aluminum hull

[Redneck]

I am going to use zinc chromate primer on spots where the original paint has come off. I will sand the surface. What if anything should I clean with?

After priming, what type of paint, just regular metal paint?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

i've used rustoleum, $1.00 a can walmart spray paint, all with good results. easy to touch up also. all of these are $1.00 spray can boats.

 

[Redneck]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

Did you have problems with runs? Also it seems there is some "uneveness" or dry areas. Is that just me?

 

[RobDar]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

the iboats store has some self leveling paint...interlux maybe??? I am not sure how it would work on a small repair but I have seen it used on a whole boat hull and it came out really nice!

 

[DJ]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

Any bare spots should be washed with a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water before you spray on the zinc chromate. The vin./water etches the aluminum just as the zinc chromate does.

I've never had adhesion issues using that method. It works on outboards and I/O outdrives too.

 

[Redneck]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

Should I sand it also or will the vin/water be enuff??

 

[F_R]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

Sand it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Painting aluminum hull

i pressure washed, and used an orbital sander, then another good hose down, let it sit and dry. keep the paint moving, light coats, and come back another light coat. i worked in about 4 ft sections, in the sun, it dries quickly. i have also used the roll and tip technique, where you roll the paint on and use a brush to level it.

this is one in progress, roll and tip, yellow is finished, black is just prime coat, will get black gloss, for finish. this boat was so bad, had to 2 coat it