Ready for the paint!

[Islandlure]

I finally finished my build on my old jon boat (flotation, new seats, center console, built in livewell and other minor repairs). I have built everything from .063 and .080 aluminum and fiberglassed the inside of the livewell.
Now I know this has been asked over and over again on the forum and I am not wanting to be a broken record but I want to get this right. I am ready for primer and paint and I have just finished sandblasting tonight down to bare aluminum. I have seen people say to use an epoxy primer, an etching primer, and some say both. I don't want to go overboard but I want proper adhesion and to be very durable. I plan on using Dupont Imron paint as my topcoat, unless anyone might have a reason that this is not a good solution ( I just have it available to me at no cost). I would appreciate anyones knowledge or experiences with this so that I might make the correct decision and hopefully not have to paint again this winter I have spent much time and money on this so far and haven't cut any corners because I know where you can end up doing so. I just have paint, cables and wiring left and I can be out chasing the reds on the flats again!!!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Islandlure]

Re: Ready for the paint!

Forgot to ask if there are brands to use or avoid. And what type of prep should I do to bare aluminum. Thanks again

 

[sdunt]

Re: Ready for the paint!

same prep as this outdrive http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=198931

 

[ztim]

Re: Ready for the paint!

Imron is good. We used that on aircraft. Good tough stuff. Why would you want to sandblast aluminum though? Doing that would remove the thin layer of pure aluminum which coats the sides. Use a scratch pad if anything and some type of thinner to clean. After that use a tac cloth to remove any lint or dust. All this can be found at an auto parts store. Good luck. Sounds like you are doing it right. Can you post some pics?

 

[Islandlure]

Re: Ready for the paint!

thanks for the link sdunt and thanks for the reply ztim! the reason I blasted it was because I think there was about 12 coats of different color paint on the boat and 10.5 of them were peeling. There were so many layers I didn't think hand scuffing and sanding would have ever put a dent in it! But I must elaborate, I used a walnut shell blast media because it is less aggressive on the aluminum. I am looking forward to getting out on this thing but I am going to post before and after pics, hopefully very soon! Thanks again for all of your help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ready for the paint!

good luck, looking forward to seeing it.