Paint keeps peeling

[BULLWARKS]

Three years ago I decided to have my Aluminum boat hull re-painted due to some electrolisis damage. (Crestliner 1850 SF). The marina agreed to paint it and it looked really good when it was done. 4 months later the paint began to peel. They agreed to repaint it. They felt it might be because the paint did not have time to cure or it was too cold. I waited until the next summer End of June and they repainted it and it stayed out of the water for 2 weeks. Come October the paint was peeling again. The Marina is still standing behind their work but I don't think they know what the problem is.

Any Ideas?

 

[Scott Danforth]

is the self etching primer pealing from the aluminum, or is the paint pealing from the primer?

 

[fhhuber]

Paint peels due to lack of surface prep or use of the wrong paint.

 

[further]

I've been researching extensively regarding painting aluminum as i"m in the process of refinishing my outdrive and have learned that surface prep is absolutely paramount. I am by no means an expert only reiterating what i've read which is that aluminum needs to be properly prepped. I've been following a good write up on painting aluminum outdrives located here http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=97217 and will be using alodine and metalprep products for the surface prep.

Good luck

 

[jbcurt00]

Those products are for bare aluminum Further.

I suspect the POs boat has bare aluminum around the electrolysis problems and the rest of the hull has some original paint still on it.

 

[Woodonglass]

In order for us to diagnose the problem,we're going to need more detailed information. As mentioned, Surface Prep, Materials used, Primers, Paints, Application Methods all of these play a part.

 

[fhhuber]

Aluminum can be easy to paint with excellent results (see the average soda can....)

But with the wrong paint or poor preparation it will NEVER be right, with peeling issues and the paint being easily chipped.

Once its done wrong... the only cure is complete removal and start over.

 

[Grub54891]

Our paint guy at work has painted alum several times. no comebacks. Prep is the key.

 

[shrew]

Is paint how you are addressing the electrolysis? Electrolysis is the 'rust' of the aluminum world causing the aluminum to essentially disappear as it corrodes. There is no amount of surface preparation which is going to prevent paint payers from peeling if the underlying medium is corroding away. Is the boat wet-slipped in salt water or trailered?

 

[BULLWARKS]

No Title

Sorry for the delay and thanks for the posts. The electrolysis was caused by an adjacent boat which is gone now. The primer remains and paint is peeling form th primer.

 

[BULLWARKS]

I'll try and find out what primer and paint they used.

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah well if paint is peeling from primer it's gotta be incompatibility issues or contaminants in either the primer or the paint. Once again PREP is KEY in any paint job. A close second is to ensure that the products being used are FRESH and Compatible.