Scratches in Aluminum hull

[nokiddin]

Unfortunately my boat took some good scratches to the hull this past weekend, part of being a newbie i guess. The scratches actually went right through the paint into the aluminum. Just wondering how much I need to be concerned about corrosion on the scratches. Should I be repainting over them immediately? Or can it wait till the end of the season?

Thanks

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Scratches in Aluminum hull

fresh water? Don't have to paint them at all if you don't want to. Lots of bare AL boats out there. Even salt water is not much of a problem.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Scratches in Aluminum hull

Exposed aluminum will naturally oxidize and create a not unpleasant and highly corrosion resistant surface. This occurs rapidly (begins within 10 minutes) so it's already protected. Before you paint, you'll need to remove that oxidation which is easily done with a product called Alumaprep. For now you're good to leave it as is unless its the cosmetic part that's troubling you.

 

[nokiddin]

Re: Scratches in Aluminum hull

Thanks guys, thats what I thought the answer would be but wanted to check.