Aluminum Painting

[Big Slick]

I picked up an aluminum boat that I plan on painting camo. Does anyone have any advise about anything that needs to be done to the surface before painting?

[DIRTBALL2]

You need to apply an acid etching primer first or the paint won't stick. Good luck! :: DIRTBALL2

[Woody]

I'm not an expert at painting aluminum, but where I used to work we prepped the alum. parts by shooting them with alum. beads (much like sand blasting).  It scuffed the surface enough for the powdercoat to adhere.  But that was powdercoating.  So I'd have to agree with Dirtball2!   ::rockon::

And if you still have questions, check with a local Community College that offers auto body repair.  The instructors are usually pretty good at advising.  Also some might have room on their list to get your boat in and paint it for you.  If I remember correctly-you only pay for materials.  Although in todays times-that may have changed.   ::)

[Big Slick]

Found the answer and am posting it here for all to reference.

Q: I have an aluminum lund cammo boat that is need of a paint job. The local paint stores here have no idea on what kind of paint I should use. Can you help? What type and where can I purchase the paint. I have both a conventional and an airless paint set up; can I use any of these to re-paint the boat?

A: The surface area of the boat is considered to be small in size, therefore, I would choose to use the conventional air spray equipment for paint application.  First clean the aluminum surface to remove all dirt, old paint and oxide from the surface. Apply a coat of acid etch primer following the mixing and application instructions to the letter. Within 24 hours of applying the etch primer, apply the topcoat finish. This will be an automotive grade or marine grade polyurethane coating. Use a good quality product to protect all the prep time and elbow grease you invested prior to the topcoat application.

[h2ofwlr]

What many do not realize is that the manufacturers spray on a plastic like sealer coat on aluminum hulls over bare and painted surfaces.  This interees with the bond of overcaot painting-where a primer or a reg paint.  So there coating needs to be removed by either mecahnic (sanding/snadblasting) or by chemical means (acetone, xylol, etc...) to remove the plastic film.   Them after that is done, prime it with an aluminum primer.  Then top coats it with 2 light coats.     A cheap spray gun like that can be had at Menards or Northern is the way to go.  I prefer oil nased paints as they seem to to hold up better.  Parker (Cabela's carries it) is a good oil based top coat paint from my experience.

[Iceberg]

Does the boat already have paint on it?  If so, you just need to sand the paint that is on it already, I would use 220 grit, then clean it up good to remove any oil, and dust from your sanding. I used the parker brand paint as H2OFwlr suggested, I have both rolled and sprayed the paint and one of those wagner electric sprayers worked just fine. If you have some bare spots, I would sand with a more aggressive sandpaper and use a canned primer for alum, on those bare spots, then sand with 220 grit before painting. I have painted 4 boats so far and no peeling problems yet.

If the boat has no paint, then all of the suggestions above are correct.

I guess I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet, but I have pictures of the last two boats I could post.

Maybe these will work...

[Big Slick]

The boat has no paint so it should clean-up fairly easy. I have an air powered D-A sander to rough it up and an air sprayer to paint it down.

Now to find the energy. ::hittingself::