I want to paint my aluminum boat, but I don't know how to prep the boat before I paint it. anyone know how?

Question

I want to paint my aluminum boat, but I don't know how to prep the boat before I paint it. anyone know how?

Answer 1

To prep your boat sand down any loose paint clean off the dust and wipe down with laquer thinner, then you can use what ever type of paint you choose, my father bought an old aluminum boat and done this and went to local hardware and bought some spray cans of a metal flake and his turned out pretty good. I think if you use a paint with zink in it, that it will stop it from oxidizing from the water.

Answer 2

bmck has it right...prep work on any paint job is about 3x the actual paint time and the more the better...all loose paint must go; any place the aluminum is oxidizing ( loose grey powder, the alum. equivalent of rust) must go. Zinc chromate either in spray cans or quarts is the preferred  general purpose primer..

Paints are usually made as a system, ie a finish coat is made to go with a specific primer. GO to marine store..or, if you are on fresh water and doing very limited use) a hardware store, and read the pant cans. Having spent 30 years reading Interlux and Pettit cans, I know there's a lot of information on the label.

If you are thinking of putting an anti-fouling paint on the boat you CAN NOT NOT NOT use copper based paints. The copper in salt water will eat the aluminum hull in no time....special paints are made for aluminum; once again read the cans.....THIS ALSO APPLIES TO OUTDRIVES AND OUTBOARD MOTORS, FOLKS..if you're in salt or even brackish water don't use copper anti fouling paint on your engine parts.you will quickly regret it