Restoring and painting aluminum boat

[Muckrunner]

Hello, I recently bought a 14 ft Lowe V hull boat

It is the most awful pea green color and looks like it was slathered on by a kindergartener in arts class.

Any suggestions on what paint, the process of the sanding and etc.
What materials, and overall cost I am looking at here.

Also, the guy I bought it from decided to screw in a rod rack through the aluminum and then take it out.

So now there are four ugly bolts sticking out of the starboard side of the boat.
How could I blend that with the rest of the hull?

Any advice is gold, thank you.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Restoring and painting aluminum boat

We have an entire restoration forum with instructions on how to restore aluminum boats!! Welcome to iboats. I will move this post

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Restoring and painting aluminum boat

Welcome to the iBoats Dry Dock!!!!

I'm not a "Tinner" but I'm sure they'll be along real soon. I have read a lot of their restorations and sanding and sandblasting etc... is not favored as much as chemical stripping. This is a good one. The last link in my signature has some good info on painting. It the paint is adhering well then you can just sand it down really well, shoot some Self Etching primer on any spots you sand thru to bare metal and then primer the whole boat and shoot or roll your new paint. Some short Stainless Stove Bolts should dress up those holes fairly nicely.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: Restoring and painting aluminum boat

Rivets may take care of the holes. Bolts like WOG said, or braze them up.

Rustoleum is a good cheap source for paint. Use the oil based. I like to strip my aluminum boats bare, then zinc chromate primer (50/50 water & white vinegar first), prime then Rust Stop. Ace Hardware sells RS and they will tint it any color you want. It's re-branded Rustoleum.

I'm kinda partial to pea green, sure you don't want to leave it?????lol

Don