How do you prep an aluminum boat for paint?

[Wingman]

Got a 16', 48" wide boat today. It has been used for catfish work, and has no paint, just shiny, duck-flaring aluminum! How do I prep the surface to take paint? I need to get it painted ASAP so I can use it next week. I do have a heated shop to put it in when I paint it.

Thanks,
Wingman

[CaptnT]

I have done this a couple of times with pretty good success. I prepped the hull first with oven cleaner and a steel wool pad. Hose that off, then again with vinegar.

I used enamel camo paint I bought at the Army surplus store. Did this during the summer, though. You really need temps over 60-65 in order for it to adhere.

I know there is a certain type of primer specifically for aluminum, but I went the cheap, red-neck route.

[catfishbill]

paint is called zinc chromate preps metal real good,its kind of a dull yellow green to a medium green dull color,we use it to prime all kinds of aircraft surfaces before painting.jetduck knows all about it!

[Wingman]

Oh yeah, I've seen that yellow undercoat when the paint peels off the leading edges or the nose. Dang, I don't think I have time to do all of that right now, might have to do a quickie and redo it this summer.

Thanks,
Wingman

[judge jb]

the vinegar trick works well.. the acid cuts into the surface of the aluminum giving a good surface for the paint to stick....

judge jb

[gyver]

I SCRUBBED MY BOAT WITH A STEEL WOOL TYPE PAN SCRUBBER, THE WIREY KIND NOT THE HAIRY KIND. AFTER THAT I RINSED IT THEN TOOK AND WASHED IT WITH DAWN DISH WASHING LIQUID LIKE A CARWASH. I LET IT DRY FOR A DAY AND THEN PAINTED IT WITH THE KRYLON CAMO PAINTS. NO PROBLEMS AND TAKES ABOUT AS LONG AS WASHING YOUR TRUCK.

[Wingman]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I will try and see.

Wingman

[go24]

Well, when you are trying to prepare a boat for new paint you must be gentle. Talk to it and tell it that there's nothing wrong with it's old paint. But new paint is okay too. Tell it "I'm ok and you're ok". This will help it to be more receptive to a new look. Don't destroy his self esteem. Before you do anything with a paint sprayer say, "How do you feel about some new paint?" Let him get comfortable with the change or irrepairable damage could take place. Help him to see that other boats have to go thru this too. Remember, be gentle.

Sorry Wingman, sometimes a guy just has too much time on his hands!

[h2o_dog]

I repainted a 1448 last summer. The local body shop guy advised that I wipe it down with acetone first and use a good gray primer before putting on Polarkraft paint. I did all of the above and it has worked out well. Good Luck!

[MemphisStockBroker]

was with a bunch of cajun's this weekend at a hunting camp.... and they were drinking adult canned beverages and urinating on this guy's pirogue. now it makes sense. they were prepping it before the paint job...

[Doc & Nash]

Wingman,

Wash it out and spray the hell out of it. Ain't nothin you can do to make it stay so but a couple of extra cans for touch up. I had to touch up that brand new Grizzly that I bought this year.

[Wildfowler]

Well, when you are trying to prepare a boat for new paint you must be gentle. Talk to it and tell it that there's nothing wrong with it's old paint. But new paint is okay too. Tell it "I'm ok and you're ok". This will help it to be more receptive to a new look. Don't destroy his self esteem. Before you do anything with a paint sprayer say, "How do you feel about some new paint?" Let him get comfortable with the change or irrepairable damage could take place. Help him to see that other boats have to go thru this too. Remember, be gentle.

Sorry Wingman, sometimes a guy just has too much time on his hands!

go24, that's good advise, but I think your boat may be suffering from a case of gender confusion after you've been talking to it that way. Boat's are always considered to be female.

I too have some free time on my hands this morning.