If you want to leave your aluminum boat in the water for extended periods of time, anti-fouling paint may be necessary to prevent growth on the bottom. Boat painting costs are relative depending on the size of your boat, the type of materials you want to use, the amount and difficulty degree of the repairs that might be necessary. Last updated on July 19, 2020 . Aluminum boat paint AlumaHawk combines a hard-wearing primer and resilient paint finish, specifically formulated for your aluminum boat. If it’s supposed to rain, bring the boat into a garage or shed, making sure to still keep it propped up. Find a spot, ideally outdoors, where you can paint your boat without damaging any other surfaces or items. Nobody wants to keep a boat that’s got a bunch of chipped paint, scratches, and just plain unattractive. Painting your Jon Boat can be a fun process to upgrade the look of your boat to a sleek grey or tan paint, or even turn a regular boat into a camouflaged jon suitable for duck blinds. For paint to stick to aluminum, you need to use an etching primer—one that bonds chemically to the metal, not just mechanically. Using a brush or a sprayer, apply a thin layer of primer inside the boat. Remove the stripper as soon as the 15 minutes is up or less with a water hose. You’ll need to use self-etching primer, but you can use any paint as long as it’s waterproof. If it’s sunny outside, opt for letting the boat air dry. Prime the boat so that the paint adheres to the surface easily, and you can spray, roll, or brush the paint onto the boat. This article has been viewed 26,303 times. Pressure wash the boat, scrub the aluminum clean, then rinse it off thoroughly to make sure all dust and contaminants have been completely removed. Let the primer dry overnight, or at least 12 hours, before moving on to the painting process. Don’t worry – this is a good thing. After sanding is complete, it’s helpful to wash down the aluminum boat with a pressure washer. It contains zinc phosphate, which the marine and aviation industries have used for many years to protect aluminum. I applied three coats of Rust-Oleum Self Etching Primer . Similar brands also do the same time-saving job. After application a second coat may be recommended, but again, the specifics of multiple coats, dry times, and sanding between coats will vary from product to product. Re: Basic rustoleum oil based paint for aluminum boat? It is quick to apply in steady streams. Apply an aluminum-safe anti-fouling paint, if the boat will be stored in the water. Pressure wash the boat, scrub the aluminum clean, then rinse it off thoroughly to make sure all dust and contaminants have been completely removed. Apply primer, if necessary, and resand. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Pain the aluminum with at least two coats of an appropriate type of paint. Use a water-resistant paint color of your choice and apply the first coat. This sealant is ideal for beginners as it is smooth sailing to use, all you need to do is to gingerly pour it, stir and then a… Whatever the reason, painting your boat periodically can be an important part of overall maintenance and extend the longevity of your boat in the process. Just like painting fiberglass or wood, painting an aluminum boat begins with sanding away old paint and oxidation until you’re left with clean, shiny metal. However, once the hull was clean and free of the old paint, the biggest difference between painting an aluminum boat and any other boat is the special primer needed for aluminum boats. Lay plastic or paper over your workspace to prevent paint stains. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards. The Metal Boat Society: Preparing Aluminum For Coating: Paint the aluminum boat the color of your choice using a water-resistant paint. If using the Aluminum Boat Paint … Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If you want to give your aluminum boat a fresh coat of paint, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure the paint job looks great. Then put the electric fans inside the vessel to ensure proper ventilation during the painting process. You may pick the paint that comes with satin or matte finish if you prefer to have satisfying final outcomes. When this happens, the aluminum pits and produces copious amounts of aluminum oxide powder or, when wet, aluminum hydroxide, which looks a bit like freezer-burned vanilla ice cream. There are several types of anti-fouling paints that can be used on aluminum hulls without any problems – but check and check a second time, to be sure the paint you apply is safe for use on aluminum boats. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. I have a boat that has LP painted aluminum window frames that are blistered under the paint surface. Oil-based primers are often used when painting aluminum. Sand the boat to create an even surface, and use soap and water to wash any dirt off. wikiHow's. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This will ensure that there aren’t any damp spots when you go to paint it. Last Updated: December 17, 2019 "It showed me everything that I needed to know, from preparation to materials required. You can achieve professional-looking results if you paint it yourself, as long as you properly prepare the aluminum for painting and set aside adequate time to complete the job. Sanding the boat may result in small scratches in the aluminum, which is normal. The entire process of painting an aluminum boat is dangerous without the proper safety equipment. The types of paint that you can use for your aluminum boat includes latex paint or acrylic paints. Whether you are looking for a good quality boat paint for use on aluminum surfaces, pontoon boats, houseboats, or Jon boats, you can be sure that the Sea Hawk paint will be up to the task. Then it’s time to prepare for a paint job. That’s because they oxidize on the exterior, as opposed to skipping right to the corrosion stage like many other metals. Sanding a large boat can take a lot of time and effort so I’d recommend using an electric sander in this case. This place will serve as the painter’s working area. Pain the aluminum with at least two coats of an appropriate type of paint. It prevents damage from UV rays, corrosion, staining, and numerous other problems. Dec 8, 2018 - Explore Johnnie Lakey's board "aluminum boat paint" on Pinterest. With your boat’s surface constantly wet, it is inevitable for the pain to chip. Okay: now your freshly-painted aluminum boat looks great on the outside. You’ll find some great tips on how to do so in Preparing Your Used Boat for Sale, whether you plan to sell that boat or not – and you probably won’t want to part with it, now that your aluminum boat has a completely new look. The tiny scratches and scuffs will help the primer and paint adhere to the metal. 'S board `` aluminum boat looks great on the ground an old-fashioned scrub-down with partner! Soapy water aluminum with an aluminum brightener or polishing compound paint and adding a glossy shine skipping! Is dry, apply a coat of primer and 2 coats of Rust-Oleum Self primer! 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