Letter 5057

Aluminum Boat Refinishing. 

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I am refinishing several aluminum boats and I would like some advice on where to get started. I have a sandblasting set up already. I have thought about removing the old paint via sandpaper but the process would be easier with a sandblaster.

The next stage I assume would be to prep the aluminum for painting. What should I use? What is the best method of application (brush or sprayer)? And what type of paint should put on the hull afterwards? And how many coats are suggested?

These are projects to restore several small boats for my sons to enjoy. You advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cary R [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Carrollton, Georgia, USA

Dear Cary;

My family is also interested in refinishing an aluminum boat. Did you ever get any information about the process? Did you sandblast your boat(s)? What type paint did you use? We will really appreciate any information or tips that you can give us.

Thank you,

Annamae C [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Chino, CA, USA

In response to this question I have refinished a couple of pearly monarchs in the past year. I've decided that the best paint to use for this job would be paint used in the auto refinishing systems 1st sanding with 240 grit paper then cleaning with a mild solvent degreaser ensuring surface is dust free 2nd apply 1 - 2 coats of two-pack etch primmer leave for about 4-5 hours then lightly rub with a grey scotchbrite repeat the degreasing process then its ready to put a top-coat on. I have found that two-pack acrylic paint with a plastisizer additive works best; the additive gives a very durable surface and reduces chips and scrapes. I hope this has been helpful.

Phill S [last name deleted for privacy due to age of posting]
- Northants, England

Basecoat & Clearcoat or Singlestage? I've painted cars for years and some have aluminum parts so I know aluminum can be painted. My question is. What should I use from the waterline up?

Edward Kozlowski
Body shop [collision] - Rochester, MI, USA

This is the method for painting aluminum above the water line:
If you sand blast the hull use aluminum oxide sand blasting sand. silicon carbide will contaminate the aluminum.
blast with less than 100 psi and spray sand towards the hull on an angle, blasting head on can wrap the hull and cause a wavy hull.
After sand blasting, prep the aluminum with a metal prep you can get this at an automotive paint supply shop. This will cause a blueing affect,or rainbow affect.
After the metal prep you will need to prime with wash primer. wash primer is a zinc chromate primer that is mixed with phosphoric acid usually 50/50 mixture.
When spraying he wash primer spray a light enough coat so that you can see thru it . (transparent) usually if sprayed too thick the wash primer will fail to adhere properly.
Topcoat the wash primer with a 2-part epoxy primer or primer sealer. primer will need a scuffing before final top coating. use 180 grit D/a sand paper on D/a (dual action)sander. in hard to get places use red scotch brite scuff pad.
Primer/ sealer can be painted usually after a flash time of at least 20 minutes and usually no more than a couple of hours. I'd suggest using a true polyurethane enamel. imron or equivalent. this is a single stage paint, meaning it shines without needing a clearcoat.
A polyurethane enamel shines without needing polishing and withstands the harsh elements.

Andre' Hebert
- Chalmette, LA

Deep lacerations on outside of aluminum boat. I just recently bought a 16 foot welded aluminum Hewes Craft boat. It was not well taken care of as there are several nasty laceration on the outside of the hull. I can run my finger over the lacerations and feel sharp edges. I want to fill in the bad places and have the boat painted. If I paint it will the paint fill in the bad spots without being able to see them or should I fill them in with something? If I need to fill them in what do I use? I think Bondo [link is to product info at Amazon] would just fall out because of the flexing of the hull. Or, am I wrong in that assumption?

Will Self
Consumer - Walla Walla, WA, USA

I've read about finishing aluminum boats and you need to wash the boat with soap and water, then let dry. Wipe it down with enamel or lacquer thinner [link is to product info at Amazon], then wipe dry with paper towels. Once dry, wipe with a tack rag turning several times. Spray a wet coat of Vinyl Wash Primer. Not a heavy coat, but wet, over lapping several inches. After this has dried, spray it within 24 hours with a couple of coats with a epoxy primer. Once this is done, spray as usual with any automotive paint.

Richard Ridgely
- Wellston, Ok, USA

I also have been looking for ways to paint an aluminum boat. Is the lacquer thinner alright to reduce/ clean the paint already on the boat or do you have to sand blast the entire boat? What type of sandpaper or procedure to smooth scratches on bottom of boat? Is it best to use a sprayer or another method? Want to make it look nice, but not spend thousands.

Rick Rebenstorf
- Tempe, AZ, USA

What would be the best stripper for an alum. boat? I have used many types But yet not much results...I made sure they would not react to the alum. Also!
Thanks Joey Byrd

Joseph Byrd
Jack of all trades - Walterboro

Hi, Joey. I think the previously mentioned Aircraft Stripper [link is to product info at Amazon] will prove to be the most effective, although it is noxious. But if you've tried many things and they didn't work, please list what didn't work and in what way so we're not just going in circles of "Try this", "That didn't work", "Try this", "That didn't work", "Try this" . . . :-)

Ted Mooney, P.E.  finishing.com Brick, NJ

I want to post a question on a different subject.

 

I want to answer or follow-up on this question publicly (in non-commercial fashion).

 

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