What do I use for aluminum filler?

[GimpArm]

I'm restoring an old late 60's fiberglas boat, it has an aluminum rub rail that's a little dented up. I pounded the dents out as best I could but I think its impossible to get it perfectly smooth again. I also can't find the exact rub rail any where so replacing it is out of the question.

I decided I should use some kind of filler and then paint the whole rail so it looks nice but I have no idea what kind of filler I can use on a boat. Its above the water line, does that mean I can just use a bondo like one might for a car? I heard bondo absorbs water so I'm a bit leery about using it on a boat. What should I use?

Also, I was thinking I'd just use Interlux Brightside polyurethane paint over a primer on it but then I started thinking since its a rub rail that maybe I should look for something thicker and harder so it wont chip off. Can anyone give me some advice on that too?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

JB Weld.

 

[oops!]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

personally i would replace the rub rail......the stuff is about 2 bucks a foot including the insert.....so on a 15 footer...its not that bad

 

[Bighoss]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

JB Weld.

Yup...

Had several spots on my Jet that were beat to heck on the rail. I used JB weld, sanded and painted it close to ten years ago and I can't even find the places I filled in. For about $5 there's no cheaper or more reliable fix. Use wax paper taped to the area after you apply to keep it from sagging off the rail when drying. I used it again to fill holes drilled in the SS last week on the top side. Prior to being filled with JB and painted this looked like swiss cheese. Give it a try ...for the money you can go wrong.

 

[MichaelP]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

JB Weld is great stuff but if you have a need for more than comes in the little tubes you could go with Marine Tex. Its pricey but works like JB. I had huge holes to fill so I glued backer plates inside and filled with MT. Wax paper is good advise but when I did it the paper stuck. No biggie.

 

[GimpArm]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

personally i would replace the rub rail......the stuff is about 2 bucks a foot including the insert.....so on a 15 footer...its not that bad

The rub rail also holds the top and bottom fiberglass pieces together, so its kind of a special railing that I haven't seen for sale any where else.

I think I'm going to give JB weld a try, thanks for the help.

 

[LonLB]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

The rub rail also holds the top and bottom fiberglass pieces together, so its kind of a special railing that I haven't seen for sale any where else.

I think I'm going to give JB weld a try, thanks for the help.

All of the rub rails that you see on Fiberglass boats function the same. Most likely your rub rail isn't holding the parts together, but is the trim over the joint that is holding it together.

 

[LonLB]

Re: What do I use for aluminum filler?

As for a filler, I'm going to prime over the spot (bare aluminum), Zinc Primer, filler, smooth it out, and then more primer. Then the rest of the boat will be painted as normal.

The filler is just an Evercoat brand of bondo type filler.