Painting aluminum boat

[ssmyth]

Hi All,
i want to repaint my boat, and would like to get some advise as to where to start. i dont know whether to strip everything off and start from scrach or prime over the nicked paint that is on there. there are alot of nicks and scratches as you can see. i want to have a nice smooth finish in the end. im thinking 2 colors. i will need to gluvit the outside as well, since i didnt think of it when i had the deck all out. also, what is the best way to repair a dent in the side(see photo)?

any advise on products and procedures would be great.
i would like to do this myself for less than $200. is this possible?
also, what product will clean the yellowish gunk off the finish.

i have the interior partially rebuilt, with some work to do yet. also, i will not be able to flip the boat. i will have to block it up somehow. any sugestions?

thanks

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

This might help!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=415258

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

This might help!

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=415258

I was just going to post the link to this thread.

There is SO MUCH info on here about painting aluminum boats. Just do a search and you will find everything you would ever want to know about paint.

The dent. I used a aluminum body filler on mine to fill in a couple spots. Bought it at the local carquest.

 

[ssmyth]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

thanks, i already read that post, and a few others. mostly i was wondering if priming over the scratches will cover them good enough that you cant see them after you paint it. or do you have to fill them somehow. i just want to do it right the first time. here is my thoughts on the procedure, but correct me if im wrong. i am new to the whole boat painting thing.

1. clean grime off of boat.
2. take stickers off of boat and clean any glue off.
3. sand paint to ruff up a bit. (what is the best way to get the dust off?)
4. fill dents with alum putty and sand to look good.
5. prime entire boat (does entire boat need primed?)
6. sand prime to ruff up a bit.
7. apply gluvit (dont know when should be applied for sure?)
8. sand gluvit to ruff up a bit.
9. apply coat 1 of paint
10. sand paint to ruff up a bit.
11. apply coat 2 of paint.
12. wait for paint to cure before putting on trailer and taking out.

thanks

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

thanks, i already read that post, and a few others. mostly i was wondering if priming over the scratches will cover them good enough that you cant see them after you paint it. or do you have to fill them somehow. i just want to do it right the first time. here is my thoughts on the procedure, but correct me if im wrong. i am new to the whole boat painting thing.

1. clean grime off of boat.
2. take stickers off of boat and clean any glue off.
3. sand paint to ruff up a bit. (what is the best way to get the dust off?)
4. fill dents with alum putty and sand to look good.
5. prime entire boat (does entire boat need primed?)
6. sand prime to ruff up a bit.
7. apply gluvit (dont know when should be applied for sure?)
8. sand gluvit to ruff up a bit.
9. apply coat 1 of paint
10. sand paint to ruff up a bit.
11. apply coat 2 of paint.
12. wait for paint to cure before putting on trailer and taking out.

thanks

Ok, a couple things.

On point 3, just a good soap and water bath will get all the dust off of it. No need for anything special.

Point 4. I filled in all the dents and scratches with aluminum putty, and I wish i had not. It needs a TON of sanding for it not to show through the paint. A real pain to work with.

Point 5. The whole boat does not need to be primed. As long as the old paint is still in tact, just scuff it up and paint.

Point 6. From what I have read on the gluvit, most people apply it from the inside if the boat.

Hope this helps.

 

[ssmyth]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

Ok, a couple things.

On point 3, just a good soap and water bath will get all the dust off of it. No need for anything special.

Point 4. I filled in all the dents and scratches with aluminum putty, and I wish i had not. It needs a TON of sanding for it not to show through the paint. A real pain to work with.

Point 5. The whole boat does not need to be primed. As long as the old paint is still in tact, just scuff it up and paint.

Point 6. From what I have read on the gluvit, most people apply it from the inside if the boat.

Hope this helps.

thank you for your nput

Point 4. what is the best way to fill in the scratches, or will primer and paint fill it in when applied?

Point 5. i assume the areas that have bare alum will still need to be covered with primer. is this correct?

Point 6. i have read on this forum where gluvit was applied to the outside. anyone have any comments about wether it can or should be applied to the outside of the boat? does it affect the final finish? i know nothing about this stuff. is it like regular paint when applying?

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

thank you for your nput

Point 4. what is the best way to fill in the scratches, or will primer and paint fill it in when applied?

Point 5. i assume the areas that have bare alum will still need to be covered with primer. is this correct?

Point 6. i have read on this forum where gluvit was applied to the outside. anyone have any comments about wether it can or should be applied to the outside of the boat? does it affect the final finish? i know nothing about this stuff. is it like regular paint when applying?

The bare aluminum should be primed with a self etching primer.

I would just let the paint and primer fill in the scratches. The filler will work, if you want to put in all the time sanding it smooth.

 

[ssmyth]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

How much paint per coat do you think i will need. it is a 16' starcraft SS

 

[Isaacm1986]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

1 gallon of green did 4 coats on my 21ft starcraft. I did spray it with a HVLP sprayer and thinned it with penetrol

 

[ssmyth]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

just wondering if primer needs to be applied, if i use the gluvit. will this adhere to plain aluminum?
just thinking outside the box here, but i was wondering if there is some sort of squegee with a thicker type if filler that i could fill in the scratches and such to minimize sanding. i just cant see the primer and paint filling in the scratches and paint nicks so they are not noticable.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Painting aluminum boat

Hello m8s...

Again...

For All the Alum boat paint questions.. from me.. here it goes...

1. ANY bare alum Must be conditioned and primed with Alumiprep then Alodine ( or equivelant ). Must ! Zinc Chromate primer ? .. depends..

2. Primer with what you wish after that ( I suggest 545 epoxy primer (or equivelant )).

3. prep/clean/spray or roll-tip finish.

Its that simple... ( aye sometimes sandblasting is needed for some applications..but not all, then follow 1&2 ).

The thing about Alum is its metal..and you want to put Plastic on it..you have to do the steps to make sure every coating is compatible..

YD.