Gluvit or... ?

[davemoore]

I picked up an older 14 ft. aluminum boat recently solely for the purpose of duck hunting and possibly fishing once in a while.

I knew it would need a little work when I bought it. I started sanding on the hull today as it desperately needs refinishing, and discovered that it would take a LOT more work to strip it than I thought.

So, I decided to just hit the really bad spots and find something to coat/seal/paint it with. I've read some other posts/forums where people have used Gluvit to completely coat/seal the hull from the waterline down, and then paint over that.

What should I use? Should I put on a primer first, or just paint on the Gluvit and then paint it? Anyone have any similar experience?

Thanks for any help...

 

[fshngho]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Dave, Gluvit is best applied on bare aluminum. Sand the areas down and clean them well. Rivets & seams can be sealed from both sides but most people just seal the inside of the hull. After Gluvit is applied and dried (which may take a while if its cold) you will need to paint. The Gluvit is not UV resistant. Oh, you will want to prime the bare aluminum with ZC before painting too.

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

fshngho - thanks for the response.

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to take it down to the bare aluminum. There's 30-40 years of God-knows-what on there, that isn't coming off - unless I take it to someone and had it sand-blasted - which would be way too expensive.

That's why I'm looking for something that I can just apply over the mess that's on there.

I guess my best option might be to just paint it with some really good oil based primer and paint... ?

 

[fshngho]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Either paste stripper or wire wheel on a drill.

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

I tried both of those, fshngho, and ended up with a huge mess. I'm not sure, but what someone coated this thing with seems like mastic or tar... very old tar. It's a little cracked but not so bad that I couldn't just smooth it out and seal over it, if I could find the right product. I'm at a loss... there are so many different methods and products. I did see one project boat on here where the guy actually sandblasted the entire hull. Yikes. That would cost more than I paid for the boat and trailer.

​

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Gluvit is best from the interior side but yes it can be applied as a barrier coat from the outside.

The PRIMARY reason for painting the gluvit is because it is an epoxy and will start to break down under UV rays........

It can be applied over paint that has been roughened up and sanded....... since it is a duckboat I would go for it.

That mastic or tar like substance might be best removed with a strong solvent or gas which can soften it BUT with those fumes in the air it could also ignite when you use a powertool!!

Sand blasting MUST be done with a light touch or you can blow the hull into thin pieces.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Dave, you can use Bob's option as he suggested. I know (we all do) that sometimes its a PITA to remove this old stuff. It really depends on how much work/time you want to invest. We know the correct way will work, but if you apply over the 'tar', will it seal? Will you be wasteing your time & money? Will it be safe and not leak? Believe me, I understand your position, but sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and go for it my friend. Don't look at the whole boat, just say " tonight, I'm going to clean this 2' x 2' space". Sooner than you think you will have it all done.
Again, its your choice. Good Luck

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

If it's tar, use a propane torch to soften it and a putty knife to scrape it off. The torch will also help to soften the multiple layers of paint. Just take care NOT to over heat the aluminum. It is VERY thin.

I'm just sayin...

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Ok, I'm picking up a sandblaster.

Now I just need to find out what's best to use - maybe walnut shells?

This way, I can do the outside as well as the inside.

I can't stand the thought of doing something half-baked...


Thanks for pushing me.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THAT BLASTER ON A TIN BOAT!!!!!!!!! You can very easily blow a hole right through the hull and then you have a MAJOR problem.


I'm just sayin...

 

[fshngho]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

I think walnut is prefered. Most shy away from sand, for obvious reasons (see above reply). Soda blasting is good too. Sorry, don't know much about that.
Glad we could push ya. You will be happier.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Yep, Soda Blasting is a MUCH better way to go.


I'm just sayin...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Hint hint crushed walnut is marketed as Lizard Litter at petco cheaper that way

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Ok, so I got the blaster, started with walnut shells - wouldn't go through even the largest nozzle... just kept jamming. Then I tried soda, worked okay, but wouldn't flow through tank... clumped up. Ended up with sand, but even though it worked great on the large areas to remove paint, the places that had this ridiculous caulking type stuff (mostly over the rivets) wouldn't budge unless I stayed on them for like 3-4 minutes each. I ended up using 4 bags of sand just doing one row of rivets on half of one side (see photo).

I spent the remainder of the weekend sanding and sanding - and feel that I have it in good enough shape to spray primer now.

I just need to find a good, flexible, universal primer with excellent adhesion. One thread I read last night recommended a "long-oil" primer, meaning (I think) oil based, long drying time. Any suggestions?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

You MUST use Zinc Chromate Self Etching primer FIRST on ALL bare Spots on an aluminum boat. After that you should use the recommended primer for the "Finish Paint" that you will be using.

I'm just sayin...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

As mentioned, etching primer is needed on bare aluminum. Only a light dusting is necessary. I found Duplicolor's etching primer in rattle cans at Pep Boys reasonably priced.

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Hey thanks, wood and ez...

I will probably go that route (spray cans) since I don't need much, right? A light coating? And that's on the BARE aluminum spots only, right?

Thanks again!

 

[fshngho]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

You got it Dude! Just a dusting.

 

[davemoore]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

So once I get the bare aluminum primed with this stuff, then I can go over the entire hull with paint-compatible primer, correct?

(Just makin' sure I'm doin' this right... first timer...)

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gluvit or... ?

Yep, Just check with the manufacturer of the paint that you will be using to see what primer they recommend and "git er dun"

I'm just sayin...