priming aluminum starcraft

[rcam97]

I just got a 68 Starcraft Holiday and I'm planning a complete rebuild. The first thing I will do is paint it. I was going to use the rustoleum self etching primer in the rattle can, but does the original paint need to be removed before applying this? Or can I leave the existing paint (which is in decent shape just don't like color) and use another type primer over it? If so what kind? The paint I would like to use is the rustoleum oil based protective enamel.

I have been reading the threads in the starcraft resto area, I'm just not sure because I have read to use just self etching on bare aluminum then paint, I also read use self etching then another type of primer then paint, and I also read if paint is good just primer over it but I dont know what primer to use in that situation.

Thanks and sorry for the long question, I'm just confused.

 

[fshngho]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Believe me RCA, its easy to get confused. I had primed mine with ZC (napa) first then with rusto alum bare metal primer. After 4 days you could rub it off. The rusto primer was latex I am now going with ZC from Moeller and undercoating from Interlux. If your paint is good just scuff it up and go with the Rusto paint. Just ZC any bare spots that show bare alum.

 

[Bondo]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

and I'm planning a complete rebuild. The first thing I will do is paint it.

Ayuh,... Paint is usually the Last step in a rebuild. so it don't get scratched up during the rebuild...
But Anyways,...
If the original paint is still Good,... Just sand Smooth, 'n Paint...
You only need the etching primer on Bare aluminum...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Ayuh,... Paint is usually the Last step in a rebuild. so it don't get scratched up during the rebuild...

Not when you flip it!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Not when you flip it!

erm...why would you paint b4 doing a Complete rebuild ? .. I tend to agree with Bondo .. Paint should be the last thing you do aside from mounting the motor and fillin up with fuel .

YD.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

erm...why would you paint b4 doing a Complete rebuild ? .. I tend to agree with Bondo .. Paint should be the last thing you do aside from mounting the motor and fillin up with fuel .

YD.

erm....how are you going to flip the boat to paint it when it's got a full deck and interior in it??? Pretty much every single aluminum boat and most fiberglass boat restoration on this site has been done this way. I really have no idea what you guys are talking about on this one.....

 

[jasoutside]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

I think EZ is right if you plan to flip, paint, flip back, then put everything in (motor, interior).

I am planning on putting in my driveline and doing a good part of the other stuff before I paint as I am afraid that I'll mess up my work with tools/dust and such . Besides that, I can't flip my tub anyway!

(cold weather may alter my plan though)

In your case, flip, paint, flip, and build wold likely make the most sense.

Have fun!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

erm....how are you going to flip the boat to paint it when it's got a full deck and interior in it??? Pretty much every single aluminum boat and most fiberglass boat restoration on this site has been done this way. I really have no idea what you guys are talking about on this one.....

Sorry EZ....Im also assuming that we do things "deck" down..

meaning..you have more chances of screwing the lower paint after you painted and then flipping..

You can paint the deck..but why do a paint job on the bottom when you Know your going to strap or flip...

IMHO..its better to do the deck then the bottom ( of cource that would also depend on the paint that requires 2 weeks of cure before you can put the paint on the bunks ).

If you did inside ( on the trailer ) stringers and bulks..then fine..were talking resto../stringers..trans..etc.. why you would want all that resin and abrasives to do your Resto on your new paint..

Your suggesting that you paint the bottom..then do your resto..

Im suggesting that you do your resto upright....then do your bottom/hull paint as a seperate project..after you use your ex cords or air lines across your bottom..

You only have one chance at your bottom ( and even less depending one what you use on your bottom ).

Do your hull first isnt a good idea if you allready plan on flipping the boat over for the bottom paint .... IMO..

Deck first..then hull...cure times will kill you when you reflip/paint then leave your boat on the bunks for your resto..

Unless you dont care about your hull paint job...

YD.

 

[Bondo]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Im suggesting that you do your resto upright....

Ayuh,.... With a hull of that size,... I like it Upright, All the time....

Nobody's Ever gonna see the Bottom of that barge,... The Shine ain't worth the Effort....

I'd roll it with Rustoleum,.... On the trailer.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

That's only an 18' I think. I'd rather not have flotation and a ton of 3/4" epoxied plywood affixed to it when I'm asking my buddies to help me flip it back on the trailer.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2270.jpg

 

[jimdd810]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

That's only an 18' I think. I'd rather not have flotation and a ton of 3/4" epoxied plywood affixed to it when I'm asking my buddies to help me flip it back on the trailer.

I agree. My back is more important to me than someone elses boat!

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

That's only an 18' I think. I'd rather not have flotation and a ton of 3/4" epoxied plywood affixed to it when I'm asking my buddies to help me flip it back on the trailer.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2270.jpg

seriously bro ..... you have to wonder sometimes ..... is it really worth the arguement ?? LMAO there are SOOOOOOOOO many threads of guys that have turtled and painted that i think that stands for itself. maybe im wrong but once the hull is painted and flipped back over and sitting on the trailer there shouldnt be much issue with damage if even a little bit of care is taken. hmmmmmmmm

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

That's only an 18' I think. I'd rather not have flotation and a ton of 3/4" epoxied plywood affixed to it when I'm asking my buddies to help me flip it back on the trailer.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2270.jpg

at that point why not have consoles, motor, all electronics, fishing gear, coolers etc onboard when you flip it ???? LMAO

 

[rcam97]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Thanks guys for your input. I am going to flip the hull after its gutted to paint it because, just as ezmobee said, you cant flip it with all the weight of the floor and interior (because that will tear something up, like my back which I enjoy having use of). I am in no hurry to complete this project, getting in a hurry is when things go south. As long as i take the time and use care I will not hurt my paint job during the rebuild. I will more than likely paint the flat part on the top of the bow and gun whales after the project is complete so that I don't scratch that while moving parts, tools and myself in and out of the boat, but the sides and bottom will not be damaged as long as care and patience are used.

Thanks again if anymore advice about my original question is available please lend it to me, it will be very much appreciated. Soon I will get a rebuild thread started, I hope.

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

I flipped my boat, painted it, then flipped it back over on the trailer and did everything else. I did put a few small scratches in it, but since it is just rustoleum green, it is super easy to touch up.

BTW rustoleum pain works great on these aluminum boats!

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

Hello Cam..

To your question then..

Bare alum should be cleaned..then Alumiprep and alodine. Then Zinc Chromate primer ( spot primed if all the other paint is good ).

The tricky part is Making sure your feathered edge of your bare alum/paint IS Sound !. Meaning the paint should be securely bonded to the substrate on your feathering edge. If is not .. then you risk putting primer on ( with its solvents ) and Lifting that edge when applied. Trust me .. your heart will sink if you see that .. because now you have to reprep all over again..

Your going to have to prep your ZC primer for your next primer ( which I dont know what Rusto primer your topcoat calls for ) but dont burn through that ZC primer..or you will have to spot prime again.

As already stated..IF your paint is in good condition ( its adheared to nicely ) then yes you can scuff and prime for topcoat.

As far as doing your bottom first or last is up to you.. I personally would do the bottom last .. again not to start another spar.. but If somebody came into the shop and asked for his little boat bottom to be painted I would have to flip it. No I would not gut the thing to flip because its impossibly too heavy.. I would have to flip it somehow .

Now thats just the way I was taught..not to say any other way is better or worse.

Peace.

YD.

PS. GEL coat it

 

[Azlo]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

"Turtle" the boat,,, hehehe I like that.

eeerrmm,, I agree with EZ. Flip her over and get her done. And if friends gonna help,,,,yeah make sure shes bare and not heavy. Once you flip her back up cover her up,,to prevent scratches.

 

[sschefer]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

I would agree with the flip too except that StarCrafts have no interior framing and are built off the transom. If you flip it you risk tweaking the hull unless you leave the deck, transom well and gunwales in. It's no fun working under it with a 7" sander over your head all day but it's the safest way.

 

[djpeters]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

I took mine to a painter today to get an idea on price and how/what to do. He said he will hang my boat up high enough to do the bottom. I was really not looking forward to flipping my boat, especially when it has new paint on it.

 

[sprintst]

Re: priming aluminum starcraft

I totally stipped, sanded with 60 or 80, wiped with another Interlux solvent (xylene would probably work), followed Interlux's steps with their ZC primer, Interlux NE2000 high build epoxy primer (sandable) and then the VC performance epoxy on the bottom. The VC stuff is for trailerable boats in freshwater and is as tough as nails. (Interlux the whole way was probably the most expensive way to go)

If you're going over old paint make sure all the loose stuff is scraped and sanded off so you are down to the stuff that still sticks. I think they then use a different primer called primecote before paint.

Each product will have it's own recommendations as well as overcoat times.

Yacht Dr had some good tips in there as well if some alum is showing you'll have to spot zinc chromate prime...

I used some rattle can zc primer in a can after fixing some battle scars and that stuff wiped off with a rag... Keep digging to see which one in a can works as the grey stuff I was using didn't stick at all. My Interlux stuff has a green/yellow hue to it and was etched right in...