The set up: It’s 110 outside; the crappie, stripper and bass are biting; I have a new (to me) outboard that hasn’t seen water yet; the wife is occupied all day; I have 6 cans of self-etching primer, a dozen or so cans of paint and four cans of spray bed liner. I also have a very ugly boat – a very ugly boat that I am extremely happy to have.
Turns out my fishing buddies are all occupied – time to paint the boat!
The hooptie – a 1971 Chrysler Model 67, a 12ft aluminum boat:
Note the plug hanging down below the back seat. This is the result of me forgetting to put it in on the very first launch. Luckily it was just a beach launch (no trailer as of yet), so the sinking was held to a minimum. I digress . . .
The underside of the hooptie – it looks like a 30+ year old boat – including a rather odd brown stain/lump thing:
Applied the Glovit, time to paint:
I decided to paint along the rivet line on the outside with a dark khaki color. The bottom is going to be taking the abuse of the truck bed as well as water, sand and rocks – so I am skipping the paint on it, at least for now. The painted area looks so much better, I may just reconsider.
Inside the seats are getting a light color, with a dark khaki above the rivet line and bed liner below. One of the four cans of bed liner was a dud and my wife’s nephew’s girlfriend went into labor, so the job isn’t quite finished, but here are shots to date:
In case that wasn't clear, I am now a Great Uncle. I was always a good Uncle before, but now . . .
As you can see, I still need to tape off and finish. The wife is at the hospital, enjoying being a great aunt and I am watching our 17 month old. So the project is on hold until after work sessions are available later this week.
A couple notes:
• The self etching primer was great, but coverage is suspect. Several coats are needed, which took 6 cans for this boat and I did not prime where the bed liner is being sprayed.
• The spray in bed liner is a mess to work with and the coverage stinks, but it is the coolest area to the touch, even in direct Arizona sun.
• If you are going to use this many spray cans, one of the trigger add-ons is a great purchase. After about 6 cans I could not press the spray tips down any longer.
• Washing the boat with a pressure washer, followed by a 50/50 vinegar bath had amazing results. The oxidation almost completely disappeared.
• Glovit sets up really fast @ 110 degrees. Working time was more like 30 minutes rather than the 90 it says on the can.
I hope to finish up this week and get it out over the weekend. I’ll post more pics as things progress.
A word of thanks – Tashasdaddy, DJ, CATransplant, Mr.Stuart, Warlord and everyone else who has posted anything to do with aluminum boats, thank you. I would not have touched this project without your instruction and information.
Aluminum boat paint job
Linear Mode
