How do I prepare an aluminum boat for painting?

Question

I have an old aluminum boat I want to paint just to clean it up a little and want to know what I need to do or what type paint to use.It is just a small fishing boat

Answer 1

Prep it just as you would any other painting project by sanding and cleaning the surface, then use zinc chromate primer before painting.  Paint won't stick without that.

Answer 2

woodwin said the secret words which are zinc chromate....the only primer.....once you have sanded and cleaned the boat...that really sticks to aluminum.

My addition is that marine paints are usually made as a system; this topside ( finish) coat goes with this primer, but not that......so look for a finish coat that says its compatible with zinc chromate....and if you're going to paint it white, for goodness sakes, use semi gloss......gloss or  high gloss shows up every wrinkle ding and imperfection...