Painting an aluminum Boat
- Thread starter sodajerk
- Start date
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sodajerk said:
Prep and clean first, then use a thin coat of vinyl wash primer before painting with one (I used two) coats of an epoxy primer. Don't paint directly on aluminum; it'll just peel.
FJCruiserOwnersGroup said:
yep
after the boat has been cleaned you need to use an etching primer for the paint to key into, otherwise it will flake off.
i remember the brand Alodyne from refinishing a Cessna.. ohh and you need to clean really well around the rivet heads, do this with a stainless brush and aircraft paint stripper, the rivets are stress risers for the coating system already and the paint really needs to adhere well there. use a only stainless brushes as a plain steel brush will leave steel particles in the aluminum that will ruin the boat through galvanic action.
i remember the brand Alodyne from refinishing a Cessna.. ohh and you need to clean really well around the rivet heads, do this with a stainless brush and aircraft paint stripper, the rivets are stress risers for the coating system already and the paint really needs to adhere well there. use a only stainless brushes as a plain steel brush will leave steel particles in the aluminum that will ruin the boat through galvanic action.
brian
SILVER Star
alum gets polished not painted
brian said:alum gets polished not painted
very much agreed, don't think I've ever seen an aluminum boat that was painted that didn't look like an aluminum boat with a s***ty paint job.
Aluminum definitly needs painting, especially if its going into salt water.
A good etching primer is key. then a good marine grade paint. I would use a poly paint but call any marine dealer and get their opinion. I work with aircraft not boats, but I know what saltwater will do to aluminum.
As for the stainless brushes to get the prep, that is second best, still a small galvanic exchange there, scotch-brite is best. use the stainless only on the reaaly trouble spots. Good luck
A good etching primer is key. then a good marine grade paint. I would use a poly paint but call any marine dealer and get their opinion. I work with aircraft not boats, but I know what saltwater will do to aluminum.
As for the stainless brushes to get the prep, that is second best, still a small galvanic exchange there, scotch-brite is best. use the stainless only on the reaaly trouble spots. Good luck
West Marine http://www.westmarine.com/?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&ref=123
Awlgrip and any of the lesser two stage paints will stay on if you follow every prep instruction. Awesome paints.
Awlgrip and any of the lesser two stage paints will stay on if you follow every prep instruction. Awesome paints.
fsusteve said:
Just a couple of pics of aluminium boats that I have helped paint. I don't think they look to ****ty
. The black one just came second in the Australian Marine Awards Boat of the Year.
The trick with painting aluminium is preparation.
Use a good quality two-pack etch primer and then use good quality two-pack paint.
At the Boat Shows the first thing everybody does is tap the side of the boat because they don't believe it's plate alloy.
It takes a lot of elbow grease but the results are worth it.