what type of paint to use on an aluminum hull boat?

[Terrellbarrell]

I am nowhere near ready for paint yet, but what would be a reliable brand of paint, how many coats, etc...?

 

[oldrem]

#1 if you have any bare spots you must prime first with an etching primer or your paint job will be for nothing

 

[Terrellbarrell]

I am planning to sandblast the entire hull. So once I do that and I use the etching primer, will I be ready to use filler for the dents?

 

[oldrem]

Is it welded or riveted construction? If riveted I would do either a float test or fill with water to check for leaks after blasting. It will be much easier to repair any leaks before any paint work is done.

 

[Terrellbarrell]

Is it welded or riveted construction? If riveted I would do either a float test or fill with water to check for leaks after blasting. It will be much easier to repair any leaks before any paint work is done.

It is a riveted construction. would you recommend tightening the rivets, or drilling them out and replacing them?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would get your title issue straightened out first before jumping into the boat

re-buck the rivets - search the site, plenty of info
regarding paint, look for Woodonglass's signature. low $ paint on boats

 

[Dennischaves]

Be cafeful sandblasting aluminum it will warp aluminum
Soda blasting may be a better idea

 

[Terrellbarrell]

I would get your title issue straightened out first before jumping into the boat

re-buck the rivets - search the site, plenty of info
regarding paint, look for Woodonglass's signature. low $ paint on boats

I agree, I personally know the previous owner so there shouldn't be any issues with it being stolen or anything, but I probably should get a title for it ASAP. I will check out Woodonglass's signature. Thanks for the tips!

 

[Terrellbarrell]

Be cafeful sandblasting aluminum it will warp aluminum
Soda blasting may be a better idea

Do you think aircraft stripper would work?

 

[Dennischaves]

I also used WOG's paint formula and it worked great
Nice boat!

 

[zool]

The problems with mediums like soda, chemical strippers, ect is they tend to leach out of seams later on, causing the paint edges to fail.

You dont really need to strip all the old paint off, sanding to prep it is fine, any bare spots you end up with should be treated with one of many methods including a self etching primer, or an epoxy primer, or alumiprep/alodyne to name a few. Then apply the paint system u choose.

 

[Terrellbarrell]

Thank you! I have very little experience in paint formulas, WOG's?

 

[oldrem]

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-...-w-pics/page16

WOG is Woodonglass Scroll down to his paint formula

 

[Scott Danforth]

Do you think aircraft stripper would work?

it will work, however I prefer to simply hit with a DA to feather in the edges, prime the whole thing with a self etching primer, hit it with a blocking primer, sand smooth and go from there.

 

[Bondo]

You dont really need to strip all the old paint off, sanding to prep it is fine, any bare spots you end up with should be treated with one of many methods including a self etching primer, or an epoxy primer, or alumiprep/alodyne to name a few. Then apply the paint system u choose.

Ayuh,... Exactly,.... Completely strippin; aluminum is a waste of time, energy, 'n money,......

Sand what's there smooth, 'n paint over it,....

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup I agree, totally removing all the paint on a Tin Can Boat is a waste unless you're making a "Show Boat" the paint formula is in my signature link below.

 

[Terrellbarrell]

Before I use the etching primer... what grain sandpaper would you recommend me to use to get the semi-deep scratches out of the paint and what grain should I end with before priming?

 

[Terrellbarrell]

I am most definitely going to take that advice. Seems like a lot more work than necessary!

 

[zool]

Before I use the etching primer... what grain sandpaper would you recommend me to use to get the semi-deep scratches out of the paint and what grain should I end with before priming?

If ur gonna use an Enamel like Rustoleum, anything under 400 grit will hold the paint. Without seeing any pics of what ur looking at,, you'll be ok starting at 180 to 240 grit and
follow with 300 before using the Rusto metal primer...then the enamel.

The tech sheet for them is sparse at best, but here it is anyway

https://www.rustoleum.com/~/media/D...rofessional_DTM_Alkyd_Enamel_450_VOC_TDS.ashx

 

[Terrellbarrell]

Thank you! here are some pictures taken today. The top of the boat is mostly stripped to bare metal but I have not done much with the bottom of the boat. Picking up a DA sander when I get the chance.