Ask DS: Painting an old jon boat

[brake man]

I have my late Grandad's old 14 ft. MonArk that is probably as old as I am. The majority of the paint is gone so I plan to paint it and use it for duck season this year. I am not looking for a factory finish type job but would like to put on a primer and paint that would work well in the cypress and buck brush and that might last a few seasons. Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[teul2]

Go get an arm load of these. Self etching primer is the only thing that is going to last any amount of time on aluminum. The green color dries pretty much your basic jon boat OD green color. So it makes a good base to start your camo from. For the camo part, any old rattle can of paint should stick well to the primer. But, make sure you start from a good clean, well prepped surface, and then you won't have any issues.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/RUST-OLEUM-24 ... ./40893300

[Hambone]

Brake Man, one thing I have noticed about boat paint for the habitats that you and I hunt is don't go too dark. Olive and tan are best. No black and no dark brown.

[LODI QUACKER]

Parkers duck boat paint---green--- its the right color. prep work will determine how long your paint lasts. I have boats I painted in the 90's that the paint has held up good. Cost about 40 bucks a gallon can be thinned and sprayed with a compressor and a 40 dollar paint gun from home depot.

[One Shot Payne]

Don't buy duralux! That stuff is junk

[Greenhead329]

I have had good luck with Parkers duck boat paint as well.
I also second a good clean surface followed by a self etching primer

[brake man]

Well, the boat is finally done and is ready for action. I'm looking forward to getting the old boat out on a hunt. Here are a few before and after pics.

Original condition:





Primer Coat:





Finished Boat:

[Greenhead329]

Looks good