(updated with final pics)aluminum boat sanding and questions for 1968 Lund re-paint

kgronseth

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I am in the process sanding down my 1968 Lund S-14 that I bought and want to repaint (My first boat). I have been using an orbital sander on the larger areas of the hull and hand sanding around the edges and rivets. It is difficult to remove all the paint from around the rivets.

My plan is this:
1. Sanding areas to be painted
2. Wash with water to remove all dust from sanding.
3. Wash with 50/50 vinegar and water mixture.
4. Tape off areas to be painted
5. Apply dusting of Rustoleum self-etching primer to bare aluminum spots
6. Apply 2 coats of Rustoleum marine metal primer to entire area to be painted (sand between coats) (roll and tip or roll and roll method)
7. Apply 2-4 coats of Rustoleum marine topside paint (sand between coats) (roll and tip or roll and roll method)

I plan to use tips I found here about adding thinner and enamel hardner to the topside paint.

My questions:
1. Assuming I am sanding around the rivets the best I can, is it ok to have remaining paint around the rivets edges? (I am not getting all the paint off in the other areas either, but am concerned I will not be scuffing up the paint around the rivets for primer to adhere to). Just looking for some peace of mind about it.
2. Should I add thinner to the marine metal primer as well? (I am not adding the hardner to it)
3. With the 50/50 vinegar wash, is it just going over it with a wet rag or sponge or am I trying to give it a real good hard scrub with the solution?
4. (Not sure if I have the right term for this) I am debating on painting the aluminum gunwale around the top edge of the boat. If I paint it, would it become easily chipped or would I be better off leaving it bare so it stays a uniform aluminum look?

Thanks,
Kyle
 

Woodonglass

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Kyle,

Use a Brass Wire wheel in a drill to clean around the rivets. You don't have to use Topside paint on your boat. Check out page 10 in my thread for the paint forumula and how to Roll n' roll your paint.
 

kgronseth

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

I am in the middle of taping everything to get ready to paint and have some questions about the weather during painting. I will be painting in my garage using a roller, not spraying. It is supposed to get into the mid 90's and humid here in MN over the weekend and into next week and the paint can says not to paint if it is over 90 degrees or if the humidity is over 90% or if rain is threatening. I want to start painting this weekend but don't want to ruin it with the weather.

If I apply the paint (primer first) during the morning when it is cooler (70's)and not raining would I be ok? Should I hold off if it will be 90+ and/or raining etc. during the drying period later in the day?

Thanks,
Kyle
 

Woodonglass

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

What primer/paint R U using? What reducer/Thinner?
 

kgronseth

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

What primer/paint R U using? What reducer/Thinner?

Rustoleum (self etching primer, marine metal primer, marine topside). I have mineral spirits to thin it.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

As long as the temps and Humidity are under 85? you'll be Fine. Get up EARLY. Roll Thin Coats. For the FINISH coat of Rustoleum I'd recommend using Acrylic Enamel REDUCER to thin the Rustoleum. You can go to O'Reilly's or Advanced Auto and get it from them. Get the High Temp Reducer(Thinner) rated for 85? temps. and also I recommend the Hardener. Did you check out Page 10 in my restoration thread for my paint formula?
 

kgronseth

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

As long as the temps and Humidity are under 85? you'll be Fine. Get up EARLY. Roll Thin Coats. For the FINISH coat of Rustoleum I'd recommend using Acrylic Enamel REDUCER to thin the Rustoleum. You can go to O'Reilly's or Advanced Auto and get it from them. Get the High Temp Reducer(Thinner) rated for 85? temps. and also I recommend the Hardener. Did you check out Page 10 in my restoration thread for my paint formula?

Yeah, I looked at the formula. I bought some of the Valspar enamel hardner to use for the finish coat. I don't have enough experience with paints, how does that reducer work differently than mineral spirits (or the acetone you had in your thread)? Both O'Reillys and Advanced Auto are nearby so I can go there.

Thanks for your advice.
Kyle
 

Woodonglass

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

It keeps the paint from "Flashing" drying, curing what ever you want to call it. Keeps it "Flowing" and keeps a "Wet Edge" so you can complete the job in high temps. DO NOT use Acetone in High Temps!!! It will evaporate WAY to fast. Use if for kool weather and for spraying. If you get up with the Chickens you'll be fine.
 

kgronseth

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Dumb question, is painting the primer in higher humidity ok?

The can of rustoleum metal primer doesn't say anything about humidity, just temps between 50 and 90; while the rustoleum finish coat can talks about humidity and the temps between 50-90. I want to wait for the right conditions, but if I can prime this weekend with higher humidity and wait for better weather to topcoat, I would like to do that.
 

Woodonglass

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Yeah Primer is a bit more forgiving but I'd still do it early in the moring when the temps are down.
 

kgronseth

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Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

Re: aluminum boat sanding (around the rivets) and other questions for 1968 Lund re-pa

I thought I'd give an update with some pictures. Unfortunately I wasn't smart and didn't take before and after pictures except for one. Basically all I did was clean this boat up, repaint it and replaced the captain seats. Pretty minor compared to other projects here, but I wanted to thank you all for the great information. It didn't turn out perfect for my first boat painting project but it does look pretty good. The boat is a 1968 Lund S-14. The previous owner (who was the only owner) had put in a live well and flat flooring a few years ago.
 

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