Fine art painting on alluminium catamaran

[jamesmg]

I am an artist and have been asked to paint a 28mtr catamaran. I am used to working on large scale and have done numerous murals on walls but this is the first time i've been given a commission to paint on an alluminium boat. I usually use aerosol paint ( montana 94 - Montana Colors). This kind of paint is uv resistant so colour remain vibrant.
I was thinking of sanding the boat paint down and then using an anti rust primer, followed by spraypaint and then covering everything with resin or varnish. I'm looking for the most durable paint possible for boats. Any help is extremely welcome.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Fine art painting on alluminium catamaran



If you will be sanding to bare metal, use a primer specific to aluminum, not a rust inhibitor primer. My experience with automotive clear coats in rattle cans has been that they do yellow with age. If you intend to use a varnish or other top coat be certain it is guaranteed to not yellow.

Have you considered doing the artwork off the boat, digitizing it, and having a car-wrap company make it into a decal or multiple decals? There is a real advantage in that the decals don't fade or discolor and if the hull gets scratched or damaged, that portion can be replaced. These decals were custom made for me and were taken from fine art (the last is in a Warsaw museum) and well respected fantasy artist work.

I know, when I had the option of painting or applying decals on a smaller scale, I elected the decals. Of course, it all depends upon the client's perception of value.

 

[Splat]

Re: Fine art painting on alluminium catamaran

Aerosol as in rattle can? I can't help there. I have airbrushed using Wicked acrylic paints. They cure very well and are also UV resistant. I always coat them with a quality 2 part clear and they hold up fine in below water applications.

 

[roffey]

Re: Fine art painting on alluminium catamaran

the motor cover is very cool, nice job. I bet you get lots of comments.