Painting an aluminum boat "professionally"

[Bgbbgb246]

I have a 19' Fisher aluminum bass boat with faded paint and graphics. I plan to repaint and have the graphics re created to make it look nice again. I've done some research on painting aluminum boats and all I can seem to find is information on painting jon boats with Rust-Oleum. I'd like to paint mine in a more professional way with a better material. I have experience painting cars and I have the hvlp guns and compressor. What material can I use over the origional paint that will be okay on the bottom of an aluminum boat? Do I need anti fouling bottom side paint in order to have the option of mooring without ruining the paint in one season? Can I use gel coat? The boats only in fresh water but I've heard bad things about painting with just anything and then leaving the boat in the water for more than a few days.

 

[Scott Danforth]

gel coat is for fiberglass boats

if you moor, you should use a bottom paint. bottom paints are fugly

nothing wrong with hardened enamel such as Rust-Oleum or Majik brand paints. the factory used the cheapest paint they could buy, however they baked it on.

if your paint is just faded, fire up the buffer first

 

[matt167]

gelcoat is a fiberglass product, that is a no go.. You can use any oil based urethane or enamel automotive paint above or below the waterline on a trailer boat. If you are mooring more than a few days it will need bottom paint.

FWIW, something like Rustoleum topside paint is just Alkyd enamel.

 

[Scott Danforth]

FWIW, something like Rustoleum topside paint is just Alkyd enamel.

with a higher price tag

 

[matt167]

with a higher price tag

yup. it's 'marine' it's gotta be more expensive.. I just bought a gallon of regular Rustoleum pro safety blue for $35 for my new to me Starcraft Offshore. As I recall quarts of marine topside is $16

 

[zool]

Make sure the anti fouling paint you choose is copper fee made for aluminum...like Trilux

One of the plus sides to Rusto Marine is the better color selection out of the can..

 

[Woodonglass]

Rustoleum Pro Oil Based Acrylic Enamel Paint with the added Hardener, is NOT an Unprofessional finish. It's quite durable and more than adequate for your boat. You ARE correct that it's NOT suitable for leaving a boat in the water for more than a few weeks. Bottom Paint, as noted, is some Nasty Stuff, and Personally I'd rather pull my boat out of the water for a few days than to apply bottom paint. Your boat...Your choice.

 

[AShipShow]

The one thing I didn't see mentioned is if there is any bare aluminum... if there is, that's the hardest part of painting aluminum... the best thing to use is zinc chromate primer but self etching primer is ok, though not sure how it'll hold up under the water line.
Your probably notgonna find zc primer at big box stores, but you can get it on Amazon in a rattle can