I have this old canoe that I want to fix up!?

Question

So my dad has this canoe thats about like 17ft long and its pretty old and I want to paint it. He won't let me paint it though because he thinks the paint will scratch off and he doesn't want me to ruin it. i read how to do it online.

Sand with 80 grit paper to get the oxidizer off

Apply self etching aluminum primer

Paint.

Do you think doing this will ruin it?? If so do you have a better way to paint it?

Answer 1

Your dad is right.  When the boat gets hit the paint will scratch off no mater how well you paint it.

   I think it would look better painted even with some scratches.  The paint could protect the boat too.

   Tell your dad this.  The memories of painting the boat together (with your dad) would be priceless.   Get two brushes or take turns!

Answer 2

Instead of painting an Aluminum canoe why not polish it up.  Aluminum and paint do not go together well.  If you clean it well and then repeatedly buff it with polishing compound it will look great.

Lots of work, however this is a lot cheaper than painting.  Do some research and looking around to get the right polish.  I would look at airplane restoration to get some ideas as I have seen lots of polished planes in magazines and they are made of aluminum sheeting just like your canoe.

Answer 3

Painting an aluminum canoe is a waste of time. The paint will scatch off the bottom when you launch or bring the boat ashore, and look worse unless you paint it every year.  

If you want to make it look better, clean it up and paint a stripe below the gunnels.

There are aluminum conversion coatings that are good primers for painting.