Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

[olympic]

I'm in the market for a boat and was wondering if an oxidized looking painted aluminum hull will clean up or if it's just always going to appear faded. I've seen a couple this way.

Here's an example pic of what I'm talking about. Thoughts on whether the paint can be buffed up to shine again? If so what is the best way to do that? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

I used this product to clean up the yellow water stains on my aluminum hull.





As for buffing it I would say you can use any automotive product, but Im sure someone here will be able to tell you what exactly to use

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

Depends I suppose on the actual condition of the paint. And whether it is the original factory paint or not. But sometimes a good wash down & a wax will do WONDERS.

Aluminum boats can be a fairly easy paint project, if there's no bare aluminum showing.

I get the feeling from a few of your thread that you don't want to spend a whole lot, would like a 'good' smallish boat for fishing & if you step up to a 16ft'r, a bit of family recreational boating and perhaps not have to do much to the boat before USING it.

Not impossible to find, but certainly not easy. Spending more usually means it needs less work, and almost always the reverse is true.

My suggestion is to put your hands ON some boats, and spend a fair amount of time digging around iboats' forums. Lots of good info in here. And don't expect the 1st boat you actually go look at to be THE ONE. Perhaps not even in the first 10 or 15. More importantly looking & studying will help you know how to evaluate a boat & it's structurally important parts & pieces, to see past the pile of garbage someone's filled a boat w/ or all the leaves & twigs. You'll be better able to negotiate, and ultimately find a boat that you 'think' fits your needs (wants) and your budget. Do not be surprised that the boat you buy turns out to not be the one you really want or need. After using it for a few trips or a season, you'll understand what you should be looking for based on how you actually use the boat and where you boat.

Knowing that it may not be THE ONE, I'd encourage you to find a decent, affordable, nice (but not too nice) little 15ft'r +/- and run w/ it. Spend some time this winter tinkering w/ it, cleaning it up & getting it & an outboard ready for the coming boat season. USE the boat & re-evaluate your needs/wants and start looking for that boat while you use this one. Keep the 15ft'r until you score a more ideal boat, and when you get it cleaned up & ready for service, sell the 15ft'r. Wait for prime small boat selling in your area. That would not be late fall, early winter. Generally, from what I know in a good bit of the US, that's the time to shop for bargain project boats, not sell ready to go boats.

I'm not sure how well a Starcraft aluminum hull's paint (it some sort of vinyl paint) stands up to sanding thru 1200 or 1500g (or higher) to bring back a like new factory shine if it's oxidized badly. Red paint, factory or not, like the Crestliner you posted, is one of the worst.

Is that ghost lettering I see? The outline of an 'R' on the bow of the Crestliner? If that's faded into the paint, it can be VERY hard to eliminate.......

You should look thru some of the aluminum boat resto's here:
[h=3]Starcraft Rebuilds and Restorations, they're all here![/h]
Lots of great tin boat building info listed there ^^^^

Good luck pursuing an aluminum boat purchase.

 

[olympic]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

Thanks zippy and jbcurt for the quick replies.

jbcurt - you nailed it. Because I'm just getting started in boating and realize this may not be "the boat" for long term I'm trying to find one to try out for a season to see if we use it and how we use it. I was originally going to go with a fishing only boat but with two kids I kept getting the question of whether it would pull them on a tube. Hence my reconsideration of going up to 15-16 ft from 14 and trying to find more of a family boat...one that I can easily handle myself for fishing but one that is just big enough to fit 4 and can pull a tube.

Older fiberglass boats have me a bit intimidated because I can't really see what's going on under the floors. Some of the tin boats have floors but I assume those are a bit more easily swapped out. However in my lower price range I'm finding some tins with oxidized paint. Liking the tins so far - starcraft, bluefin, crestliner, etc. Been out looking at some boats and it's really helped.

Am willing to do work over the winter - just not looking for an all out project boat. Rather doing some cosmetic and tuneup stuff is where I'd prefer to start. Even better if I do find one turn key.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

Well, based on that ^^^ I'd go the other way. KNOW that this isn't the ONE going in. A 15 or 16ft open layout, BENCH seat boat, primarily for fishing.

Very little that you can't see QUICKLY when you go to look at one. Very hard to miss anything important, leaking rivets aren't the end of the world to repair, but in a boat w/ a deck (floor) you can't see them on the interior side of the boat & whatever damage the leak has caused is almost IMPOSSIBLE to easily identify, neqoatiate an accurate price reduction & then repair w/ out doing extensive work on the interior of the boat.

It won't have a windshield & can be pushed around fairly well by a 25hp OB. Which as SilverTip suggested, you can drag it up on shore, remove the OB, bring it in the cottage & leave the boat flipped upside down & chained to a tree, the dock or whatever.

Boat's at the cottage, just reverse those steps & your motoring out to your favorite fishing spot.

If you & the kids enjoy it, the Admiral may be just as happy to sit on the dock & watch you motor off to catch dinner as go w/ you. Owning a boat & using it is entirely different then having a good friend w/ a boat & going fishing w/ them on THEIR boat.

If it seems like the kids would enjoy water sports & boating, move up to a more family friendly sized & motored rig. Perhaps w/ a windshield, comfortable seating for 6 to cruise around at sundown & etc....

You may find the you WANT a small easy to manage fishing only rig, even if you enjoy cruising & family fun in a larger boat. I'm pursuing a almost 14ft right now.

Perhaps your in Washington State?

Go back & look at the ads Roscoe posted in your other thread. He & many others there gave you good advice & LOTS to think about over there too.

A bare bones boat should be less expensive upfront, less to possibly have to repair & rehab before you use it, and if you use it early enough in the coming spring season, you may be ready to find another, more suitable boat early enough to get it water ready to use by May or June. Then decide to keep the fishing boat or not.

Add your location to your profile, City/State, and you'll get guys posting up all kinds of boats to consider.

This is the 1 I'm currently after:

No frills ^^^ no trailer, no motor, JUST a boat.

In fact I'll likely trade them this:

As it sits, 16ft'r , on a trailer w/ new tires, already stripped bare inside. No outboard. But it didn't have 1 when I drug it home anyway

Lots more required to finish the 1 I have, and it doesn't fit any needs or wants I currently have. The small 13' 9" bench boat will, and will require significantly less for me to put it in the water & fish out of it.

He's happy. I'm happy, so win-win.

Again, good luck.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

I too have been following your other thread and still stick with my recommendations. Those were again the older Lund S, Canadian, Rebel or a Pike 16D. Along with the Alumacraft Lunker, Fisherman or Classic. All of these boats can be found with either tiller steering or a side console steering. The 1st 3 Lunds can also be found in either 14' or 16' as can the Lunkers and Fisherman.

The biggest advantage of these boats is that should you decide to move up to a bigger boat in a year or so you will not lose money on them. They hold their resale value acceptionally.

Here is a page that might be of interest.

Catalog Archive | Lund Boats - Premium Aluminum Fishing Walleye Boats

 

[olympic]

Re: Will this oxidized painted aluminum hull clean up?

jbcurt and bonz - thanks for your thoughts. I'm understanding the advantages of a 16' boat without the wood floor etc. I am keeping my eyes open for a 16' bench boat (either tiller or console) that will seat 4 and has 25HP + motor (as long as boat is rated for it) so I'd have the option of pulling kids in a tube. I can find some 14' used in my price range but after all the comments would like at least 15'. I'm not in a rush. Going with a name brand makes sense for resale.