Need a little direction- Paint

A

aleahprather

Recruit
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
2
I'm going to be starting the restoration on my 1966 Alumacraft Maracaibo in June (FINALLY!) I'm just wondering what would be the best brand and type of paint to use on aluminum, and the fiberglass in front of the windshield. I'm going to keep it the original red and white, the bottom of the boat is not painted.

I'm new at this completely. I've never restored anything, granted my dad is helping but I want to find the best paint to use. I'm hoping to get the boat as close to original as possible.

Thanks!
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,111
Re: Need a little direction- Paint

Welcome to iboats.

There are MANY MANY different types of paint depending on what it is being applied on and the desired results.

Aluminum requires special preparation and primer, so does fiberglass and wood. Bottom line is this ....... regardless of the surface materiel ............... results are ALL in the preparation.

Read through the varios paint threads and take a look at the gel coat threads too. Look on you tube for Roll and Tip painting ;)

Post a few pictures of what you are working on and you will receieve the best advice and guidance available
 
Woodonglass

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,932
Re: Need a little direction- Paint

I found this online and it's right in line with one of our resident Pro's (Yacht Doctor) Sticky on painting aluminum.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=457159


"Number one. Aluminum will not take paint. Not bare aluminum, not etched aluminum? Surprised at “etched aluminum”? You see a lot of primers that say, “self etching”. Well etching is the process of using acids or bases to remove aluminum oxide and other contaminants. Where do the contaminants and oxides go in a “self etching” paint? That is correct, they are contained in the paint job. How long and how durable is a paint job with “self etching” paint after all those contaminants are contained therein?

Number two. Alodine will adhere tenaciously to aluminum and paint tenaciously to alodine. So alodine is our “negotiator” to paint aluminum. It provides the intermediary between paint and aluminum.

Surface prep. A lot of options here. If you want, you can get some “aircraft stripper” available at most automotive paint stores or Aircraft Spruce. The main difference here is the amount of ammonia in the stripper. Get the hull as best you can down to bare metal. DO NOT USE STEEL BRUSHES, STEEL WOOL, STAINLESS STELL BRUSHES, etc anywhere, any time. Always use aluminum oxide sandpaper and if you want a “brush” use Scotchbrite pad.

Etching. I use AlumnaPrep 33 available at Aircraft Spruce. You dilute it 1 part to 3 parts water. A gallon bottle is more than enough for your hull. Follow the instructions on the bottle. USE RUBBER GLOVES. Brush the solution on generously. If you see a spot repel the solution it may have grease on it. Degrease it with acetone or MEK and put on more Alumnaprep. Leave the Alumanprep on at least 3 minutes then flush with fresh water. Use a hose. Flush like crazy. Your hull should have a dull but bright look to it after etching. Allow the hull to air dry.

Alodine. Again available at Aircraft Spruce. Do not dilute. A gallon will do your hull. Brush it on your dried, etched hull. Again, if you have areas that are aluminum that repels the alodine, you go to de-grease. Clean and re-etch. Then alodine. Do not flush the alodine, allow it to air dry on the hull. Your hull should have a nice “golden” tint to the bare metal.

Paint. Here is where you have some choices. I personally prefer two part epoxy polyurethanes. They are extremely durable, flexible (hard paints crack), and give an easy and very shiny finish that remains that way. The only negative is, any corrosion occurring beneath the paint surface will not be visible. The paint may bubble, but the coating will remain intact. Make sure you have sanded and etched away all previous corrosion before painting. I use Southern Polyurethanes. The other negative to polyurethane is you want a very good respirator and face shield when you paint. You can get one a Home Depot. Do not get the disposable kind. Get a 3M 4000 or 5000. Do not allow this stuff to get in your lungs. It does not come out, ever. Make sure your mask seals tightly around your face. If you have a beard, shave it.

Priming. I use Southern Polyurethanes Epoxy Primer. Follow the instructions for mixing the hardener with the paint, (It is one to one). I mix two cups at a time. It yields about one coat for a 16 ft hull. First spray a flash coat, and then come back with a wet coat. After this when the wet coat is highly tacky and not subject to running, come back again with a full second coat. If you feel rich and want to burn some paint put on a third.

Zinc-Chromate Primer. A lot of people swear by this stuff. It is very good coating on etched aluminum, but not under water! It contains zinc! Think about that for a moment?

Color Coat. Again just like the primer, activate it one to one. Spray a flash coat then a wet coat. I do two applications. You’ll like this step because you’ll be amazed at how bright and shiny your hull is.

Clear Coat. You can (optional) clear coat your hull with Southern Polyurethanes Clear 4000 series. Do it just like the color coat. You can buff it if you want. "
 
Q

quick007

Cadet
Joined
Mar 12, 2012
Messages
11
Re: Need a little direction- Paint

This is very good advice.right down to the quote at the end!
I've shot many paint types and kinds.i always took alot in past my resperator .i just painted my hull last week with urathane.
Major difference shaving my face clean.
 
A

aleahprather

Recruit
Joined
Apr 7, 2012
Messages
2
Re: Need a little direction- Paint

I don't have any pictures even though I've had the boat for a few years, I'll get one posted once I get stateside and take her out of storage.

I'm really looking forward to starting this project though, this deployment has given me the extra money I need for it.
 
B

bob johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Feb 25, 2009
Messages
4,306
Re: Need a little direction- Paint

do the souther polys have isocyanates in the hardener??? that stuff isnt worth playing around with, without supplied air and a full body suit!!

is there another product that is the same as Alodine?? or is it only available from one source?

I am going to be wanting to paint my hull as soon as the temps stay steady and the wind dies.... I used a steel brush on a 4" grinder....but i plan on sanding with a palm sander over the whole boat before i prep.

bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top