what paint to use on aluminum boat?

ironcitymadman · #1 August 21st, 2003, 07:23 PM

I recently bought a 90 Polarcraft jon boat off E-bay. It 's already painted (poorly) by the looks with spray paint. What's the best paint to use? I'm looking for something tough, but with a dull finish. My intentions are duck hunting, so I want to camo it up. Plus I'll be running shallow so toughness in important. Thanks in advance!!!

airman · #2 August 21st, 2003, 07:36 PM

Get some two part zinc chromate primer. It's already a dull green and the zinc will protect the aluminum from corrosion. Super-Koropon makes some great stuff although it's a bit pricey. It brushes well, too and dries in about 15 minutes.

DJ · #3 August 21st, 2003, 08:37 PM

Iron City,

Ditto airman on the zinc chromate.

Suggest you look here for paints.

www.westmarine.com

I like the one part epoxies from Pettit or Interlux.

Lark40 · #4 August 22nd, 2003, 11:34 AM

Agree with the one-part epoxies from Interlux and Pettit.

ironcitymadman · #5 August 22nd, 2003, 08:51 PM

what about the old paint? scuff it up and go over it?

airman · #6 August 22nd, 2003, 09:12 PM

Follow the instructions on the can. Generally you can simply scuff the old paint well with some 80 grit as long as it isn't loose or flaking but you need to make sure that the new paint has a good surface to bond to or all you time and $ will be wasted. 75% of teh work of a p[aint job is the prep.

ratherbefishin · #7 August 24th, 2003, 04:33 PM

before you put any paint on it, strip it right down to bare metal.The easiest way to do that is to go to www.napierenvironmental.com they have a line of nontoxic chemical strippers, no fumes, won't burn your hands.It was originally designed for stripping aircraft.Surface preparation is crucial to any recoating process- and the most labour intensive part of the job

Lakeview · #8 August 27th, 2003, 08:34 AM

Hey Airmen- Where do you buy super-koropon

ironcitymadman · #9 August 27th, 2003, 07:18 PM

ditto lakeview

walleyehed · #10 August 27th, 2003, 09:49 PM

YOU MUST ACID WASH BARE ALUMINUM BEFORE THE ZINC, OR IT WILL NOT STICK AS DESIRED.

I would also not even consider painting over the existing paint.....some of the guys above me got their ducks in a row!

airman · #11 August 28th, 2003, 07:22 PM

Sorry, I'm not sure where to buy it. I ususally just bring stuff to work (aircraft repair - lots around) but I bought a couple of gallons when I left my last job so I've got lots around now. Any hangar will have it, just ask to talk to one of the painters. Chances are he'll be willing to do the job for you for $100 and some beer. I've seen one-part stuff around but the 2-part stands up better and goes on easy. I don't know why we don't see it more on the boat market. You might try phoning an auto body shop and asking where they buy their paint. If you're stiil stuck after the weekend, post again and I'll make some calls. I'm not fixing planes right now, I got laid off so I fix boats instead. Sometimes I even get paid to drive them around...what fun!