what paint for aluminum boat?

[dsujen]

I have a 1969 16' aluminum starcraft. It was a commercial clamming boat and is beat up. The bottom of the boat has several screws with silicone and some cracks and patches in it. It doesn't leak a drop as it is. I want to make it a little better by maybe jb welding some of the cracks and screws and repainting it. I don't want to spend a lot of money because I don't care what it looks like. I just don't want it to sink and I don't want the paint to fall off. It has paint already on it. It is a salt water boat. I heard about TSC implement paint. What do recommend as a good, cheap coating to help it from leaking in the future?

 

[Bondo]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

I have a 1969 16' aluminum starcraft. It was a commercial clamming boat and is beat up. The bottom of the boat has several screws with silicone and some cracks and patches in it. It doesn't leak a drop as it is. I want to make it a little better by maybe jb welding some of the cracks and screws and repainting it. I don't want to spend a lot of money because I don't care what it looks like. I just don't want it to sink and I don't want the paint to fall off. It has paint already on it. It is a salt water boat. I heard about TSC implement paint. What do recommend as a good, cheap coating to help it from leaking in the future?

Ayuh,..... Lightly scuff the paint on it, 'n paint it with Rustoleum,....

Add some hardener to it for a quicker dry, 'n harder finish,...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

Cracks should be end drilled to stop the crack. Paint alone won't stop or prevent leaks, even epoxy based paints.

There are no cheap, quick & easy methods to repair damage even to an aluminum boat.

Easy, yes, kind of, but require some work & prep and not nearly as involved as repairing a fiberglass hull.

Cheap, sort of, but requires time & effort to find inexpensive or cheap materials.

Quick, once prepped, the repairs can be completed fairly quick.

Aluminum boats in saltwater are succeptible to damage that's not easily found or seen. Post up some pix of your rig, and the damage you want to repair.

You can also look thru the Starcraft builds & see LOTS of great info about repair & painting an aluminum boat:
Starcraft Rebuilds and Restorations, they're all here!

EDIT: Did you flip the boat yet? And did you take the motor off first?
painting boat upside down with motor on

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

The TSC paint is good stuff if you add the Hardener. This tell you all about how to apply it...
"Paint Your Boat for Under $100 Bucks...Well Almost"

Make sure any bare aluminum gets washed with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and then primed with a light coat of self etching primer. I always advise priming the entire boat even if the previous paint is adhered well. The primer still helps the primary coat adhere better.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

I'm in the process of painting my tin boat with Rustoleum. I'll be priming over all the old paint as WOG advised... Also 50:50 bath vinegar:water and self etching primer over bare aluminum...

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

And remember do not touch the aluminum with bare hands after washing with Vinegar

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: what paint for aluminum boat?

Yep. Self etching primer and Rustoleum enamel or TSC enamel--either with a hardener.

 

[Sirrobin53]

I just used professional coating Rustoleum. It chips too much for my liking.

 

[jbcurt00]

Sirrobin,
Inactive topic, it's been 18+months. Please refer to the forum rules linked in my signature below. After 90 days w/ no new posts by whomever started a topic, please refrain from posting to it.

Thanks

The rusto or oil based enamel w/ added hardener formula has been used successfully by numerous aluminum Starcraft rebuilders. You are the 1st to mention chipping.