What is the best way to repaint an aluminum john boat?

Question

I just came into a very nice 14 foot aluminum john boat. Its in great shape but could very much use a paint job. I would like to repaint the boat and the trailer, and make it look new again.

I'm naming it the Screamin' Seaman. I'm an artist on top of an angler, and plan on painting screaming tadpoles down the sides of it in various ways. One will have an anchor tatoo, another with a cigar, another with a hook instead of a tail... etc. etc. Can someone help me get started with this?

I'm used to painting on canvas, not aluminum.

Answer 1

I primed mine with zinc chromite then a good marine paint>> Sprayed it >

Answer 2

with a brush

Answer 3

Great name for the boat and here's what was found on a web site about painting an aluminum boat:

"The surface area of the boat is considered to be small in size, therefore, I would choose to use the conventional air spray equipment for paint application.  First clean the aluminum surface to remove all dirt, old paint and oxide from the surface. Apply a coat of acid etch primer following the mixing and application instructions to the letter. Within 24 hours of applying the etch primer, apply the topcoat finish. This will be an automotive grade or marine grade polyurethane coating. Use a good quality product to protect all the prep time and elbow grease you invested prior to the topcoat application"

Good luck!!!

Answer 4

flip it over put it on some kind of stand sand it and primer it and paint a way

Answer 5

Sand it and always, always use a primer. The paint will peel off in a year if don't use a primer.

Answer 6

i just painted mine

i sanded it down really good to get all the paint chips off

then i used a wagner power painter and used oil based paint

it wont wear off as fast

but make sure you primer it first



make sure to clean the power sprayer because oil based paint makes huge messes

we painted ours on the floor

one side at a time

looks great too!!