Paint for aluminum

[RODBUSTER]

Good morning,
I've seen quite a few posts on people painting their aluminum boats but I can't find any telling "what kind" of paint to use. I would like to know the "specific name" of such paints and primers if you think that I need a primer.

I'll tell you a little about the boat and also what is important to me.
The boat is a 17ft center console all aluminum boat. I have removed all of the old paint right down to the metal (I did a really good job). The boat is trailered when I want to use it and it is used in salt water in Florida. I wash my gear and my boat "every time" that I use it.

I'm not looking to make a showboat out of it but I do want it to look good, neat and clean. I don't want to shoot my fishing partner because he put a scratch in the deck while moving the cooler, so forget the BMW finish. I want something that I can apply myself and touch-up myself for future scratches.
I would like a product that is reasonably priced so that I will have money left for fuel. I would also like the person reading this to pay for the product..... just kidding.

As you have probably gathered, I am not familiar with paint products so please don't get too technical on me. I do feel that I carry alot of common sense so if spraying is "the only" way to go, I'll buy a sprayer.

Thank you for any responses.
Rodbuster

[waterdog247]

Should I have studied?

[goatram]

Room 222 TV show of the early 1970's

[MacCTD]

If I was starting with a bare hull I would paint the floor with a truck bedliner product like Herculiner, http://www.herculiner.com/product_info.html

[goatram]

Epoxy paint and primer that made by the same manufacturer. I put Zolatone paint on mine for the splatter effect last year.
Problems are you need a paint Gun and a good compressor, respirator, air dryer, and a place to shoot it. The devil is in the detail work.

Petit paint is another maker. Your Local Automotive Paint Supplier Can find you a product that you can use and live with.

All about the prep, Quality of product and the tools that you use to apply the paint.

[Chaps]

Most important thing about painting an aluminum boat is to remove the oxide layer that has formed on the metal then immediately apply your initial primer. I typically abrasive blast the boat to remove the oxide and create a profile, rinse with water, blow off with air and as soon as its thoroughly dry then asap apply interlux 6455 2 part etch primer. Over that I apply Petit Alumaprotect 2 part epoxy primer 4400/4401. Over that most any decent quality urethane topside paint like Interlux Perfection (reasonable price, pretty tough, easy to apply, etc.) or any good enamel.

[RODBUSTER]

This is exactly the type of information that I am looking for. Thanks alot guys.

If anyone else has any input, I would welcome it.

Thanks again,
Rodbuster

[welder]

I was ready to buy the paint for you until you said " Just kidding " heck I was even going to pay for shipping .

[RODBUSTER]

WOW..... did you guys read the post before this one, from welder?

I'm new to this forum..... how do you edit?

Rodbuster

[CTMD]

Prep and timing is everything. There are a lot of suitable brands all of which will come with data sheets/application guides. Follow their advice to the letter, generally speaking the key is to go from step to step as fast as possible. Don't let oxide re-form before priming, if the boat sits around for a long time between priming and painting then lightly sand and re-prime before painting. In theory the epoxy based products are usable across brands but if you're new to the game stick to a single brand.

[RODBUSTER]

I've received some real good information from your posts.
Thank you for all of your responses.

Rodbuster