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Ever painted an aluminum boat? #12527812 12/05/17 06:37 PM
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k.l.white Offline OP
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I have an old 14' jon boat in desperate need of a paint job. What did any of you do right or do wrong painting one? Thanks!

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12527829 12/05/17 06:51 PM
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I painted our old Alumacraft 17' and used etching primer and two part urethane from the auto paint store. Lasted for years. I had a good spray gun and used the big compressor at my shop.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12527831 12/05/17 06:54 PM
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Wrong. Tried sanding with a DA down to bare metal. Shoulda just knocked the glaze off the top coat. Too much work. Long hours just to get one Side done. Ended up says nope to the other side and went to tractor supply and picked up some Majic tractor paint. Primer, hardener and top coat. If you have a lot of chips, high and low spots I suggest just having it blasted to remove the paint. Easier and cost about the same maybe less then by hand.


If the fish don't bite your not baiting right...
Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12528786 12/06/17 03:56 PM
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TXMako2201 Offline
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just use cheap spray paint and touch it up as needed.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12529108 12/06/17 08:53 PM
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Scotchbrite that sucker, blow off with air compressor, hand wipe it down with thinner or something comparable.
buy a decent electric sprayer and some flat paint of your choice.
make sure Boat is upside down for Painting exterior Lots easier.. paint then clean spray gun and return it to walmart.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12529254 12/06/17 10:34 PM
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My 1959 12-foot aluminum boat had had various paint jobs in it's past. I used paint stripper, which worked a bit. I used a Scotchbrite pad on my mini-grinder to get the rest off, to bare aluminum. Sanded with 220 wet-or-dry, pickled with 50/50 vinegar-water mix(twice). Rinsed with water, dried. Primed with Zinc-Chromate Primer(NAPA). Painted with Majic spray can paint from Tractor Supply. Put a clear coat on to seal it. That was two years ago, and it's held up well in the saltwater. When I ding it, it chips, but a quick touch-up with the TS spray makes it look like new. I get a lot of compliments on my antique boat at launch ramps.

You can see my pics in the JonBoat section of this Forum under My Dad's 1959 Aluminum Boat. A lot of guys will tell you how hard painting an aluminum boat is, but it's not much different than painting any other kind of boat. If you don't do the prep work right, it's not going to look good. Simple enough. IslandJim


I'm an Eighth Day Adventist. On the Eighth Day, God went fishing!
Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12536836 12/13/17 02:51 PM
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A friend just recently had his sprayed with a coating similar to a bedliner material. It really helped to deaden sound and is tougher than any paint.


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Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12537631 12/14/17 12:52 AM
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Alumacraft 14 Offline
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I've done over 20 jons, painted and fully modded. Here is the easiest route.

1. Take everything off the boat, wash it.
2. Apply stripper in the shade, let it do the work. Remove old paint with plastic putty knife or pressure washer.
3. Sand with orbital sander, 220 grit. Make sure surface is smooth, sand to metal. (this is the longest processes and the most critical for a good adhesion and nice appearance.) Make sure the entire boat is roughen up by sanding.
4. Pour undiluted vinegar over the sanded area, keep metal wet for 5-10 minutes, this is the etching process, removes oxidization, rinse with water. (Be ready to paint after this step). Let dry, move into shade, let metal cool to touch.
5. Paint in shade!!!. Easiest stuff to use is Duralux Aluminium Boat Paint. This paint doesn't require you to prime, which is a huge step to remove when painting aluminum! 2 coats should be good.
6. Let dry 24hrs, then cure it by parking it in full sun, use the "fingernail scratch test". Scratch in a spot with your fingernail, if paint doesn't have a mark the paint is fully cured. If it leaves a mark then cure longer.

Tip:
You can use a ultra smooth foam roller to apply, lead with a wet edge. Use foam brushes for areas rollers won't reach.
Xylene can be used to thin it from spraying purposes and for clean up. This stuff once cured is tough and can handle abuse.

PAINT

Last edited by Alumacraft 14; 12/14/17 12:53 AM.
Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12538953 12/15/17 03:42 AM
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k.l.white Offline OP
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Good info everyone. Thank you. I actually thought about the bed liner a couple days ago. I think I like the idea. Just need to decide if I like the budget!

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12567896 01/07/18 10:29 PM
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martyn Offline
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Hey guys, suppose you had a brand spanking new Jon boat and didn't like the same old green color. Would you need to do any of the above prep before repainting, as long as you used the proper aluminum paint?

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: martyn] #12567985 01/07/18 11:36 PM
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Alumacraft 14 Offline
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Scuff up the new paint lightly to remove gloss, being careful not to go down to bare metal. Then paint with a marine grade boat paint designed for aluminium.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: Alumacraft 14] #12577464 01/14/18 03:00 AM
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martyn Offline
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What would you recommend to "scuff" the existing new paint job?

Also, would I then just apply the new paint or would I need a coat of primer first?

Thanks.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12581972 01/17/18 01:36 AM
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I'd wet sand it with 320 or 400 grit. Primers are designed to grab onto the surface and make a good surface for the top coat to adhere to. Since your boat has been painted at the factory, I see no reason why a primer would be needed. The reason sanding the top coat is necessary is to give the new top goat something to grab onto. Gloss surfaces are smooth and top coats won't adhere well to smooth surfaces.

If your boat has any bare metal spots, they need to be sanded lightly, then sprayed with Rust-Oleum Self Etching Primer. Bare aluminum not properly etch and primed will not hold a top coat, it will flake over time.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: Alumacraft 14] #12582058 01/17/18 02:24 AM
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martyn Offline
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Thanks for that detailed reply, I appreciate it. No bare aluminum spots on this one. It's brand new.

Re: Ever painted an aluminum boat? [Re: k.l.white] #12582087 01/17/18 02:38 AM
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Axalta etch primer. Then giddyup.


Steve Westerman
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