patching and painting holes aluminum boat

[16' of therapy]

I want to remove a trolling motor mount that was installed on the bow of my aluminum 16 boat. I'll have to patch up the holes and want to paint them to match the boat and also have exposed aluminum peeled paint that needs to be painted? I have to clue of what to use or were to even get it? Im asumming a marina. Thanks! -Jason

 

[5150abf]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

JB Weld would work pretty well, if you can get apeice of tape under the hole to keep the JB from running through, ti is sandable and woudl last forever.

the peeling paint you need to remove till you hit good paint, pick off the really lose stuff then start sanding with 320-400 untill you have good paint everywhere then hit the bare metal with etching primer and paint.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

You can also coat a dowel with 5200 and drive it in the hole and sand flush. I have drilled so many holes back out after filling (because I didn't think ahead that I may need that hole for something else) that I just started putting bolts in the holes sealed with 5200.

 

[16' of therapy]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

Whats 5200?

 

[5150abf]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

3M 5200, it is a marine sealer, don't use silicone, it is different and doesn't work as well.

 

[lncoop]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

JB Weld and others make a putty (JB's is called Waterweld) that comes in a little cylinder. It employs the same principal of combining two compounds that become harder than metal, but it's not runny like the original JB, which means you can press it into the holes, let it set up for a while, then sand it and paint it to your heart's content. It's really good stuff, doesn't cost much, and can be found at any marine dealer. You can also find it at the big box stores, but it may be called something else. Same stuff though. I keep a tube in both my boats in case of a stupidity induced emergency.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

Welcome to iboats!

Holes in aluminum..... fill them with stainless steel bolts. Stainless steel carriage bolts which have a smooth top which look best.

Aluminum is too thin to patch bolt holes with 3m5200 or even JB weld unless you build it up real thick on the underside. If you just fill holes the patching material can fall out under stress.

The other alternative is to have the holes welded shut and sanded smooth.

Any bare aluminum will have to be prepared for paint by using a proper primer. The primer should be zinc chromate or at least self etching primer then painted.

Check out what people have done to aluminum boats with paint in our restoration section

 

[109jb]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

I have had very good success using JB weld alone and using bolts/screws on holes in aluminum hulls.

On the Starcraft I had I used JB weld on the heads of screws/bolts installed into drilled holes that were no longer used for anything. Lasted at least 9 years I owned the boat.

On an aluminum Crestliner my brother in law had we used JB weld on a 2" long gash in the hull below waterline. The gash was open about 1/4 inch at the widest point. The hull was cleaned/sanded to bare metal and the JB weld applied. Then a little rattle can primer and paint sprayed over the repair. Although I can't say that is a permanent repair, it did last at least 4 years with no signs of failure. I can't say beyond 4 years because my BIL sold the boat.

Not saying it is the best way but it did work for us.

 

[lncoop]

Re: patching and painting holes aluminum boat

Aluminum is too thin to patch bolt holes with 3m5200 or even JB weld unless you build it up real thick on the underside. If you just fill holes the patching material can fall out under stress.

Have to respectfully disagree. You can use the Waterweld et al with great success. For best results start applying it an inch or two outside the hole and work it in so you ulitmately have a patch that is larger in diameter than the hole. Go ahead and build it up a little bit if you intend to sand it. Once it's cured and hardened you can sand and paint it and it will maintain its structural integrity for the life of the boat. Trust me, I have way too much experience using this stuff! That's not necessarily a good thing, but I sure am glad they invented it.