Boat Painting Help

[TarheelDuckCommander]

Hey guys I recently purchased a 17 ft. aluminum jon boat and I need some help on figuring out how to prep and paint it. The boat is grey now and I have never painted a boat before and was wondering if I need to sand it or anything like that before I painted it. I was already planning on pressure washing it, then priming it and painting it with Parker's paint. Is there anything else I need to do to ensure that the paint does not flake or chip off? If anyone could tell me the best way to attack this project that would be great. Thanks in advance

[deltacottonboy12]

I always sand before painting. Its just insurance for yourself. Take the time and do it right the first time. Pressure wash the boat to remove dirt and debris. you'll want o WASH the boat as well. all the oils and chemicals from who knows what needs to be removed. If the coat of paint already on the boat is in good shape, then take a less grit sander and just hit it lightly. wash after you sand. let the boat dry then add a primer and paint. Some will paint directly over the original paint but whats a little time and 15 bucks of primer?

if you have aluminum showing, you'll need a "self etching primer". it can be bought at any Auto Zone or similar place.

there is no worst feeling than completing a job and having doubts. the cheapest way to do something is the right way. It might cost less $ to skip sanding and primer up front, but when your repainting the same boat every year because of a poor job, it gets expensive..

Take your time, grab a good radio and some country music and a cold pop and enjoy your work..

[2500hdon37s]

best way to do it right there! (and some captain obvis advice) try to match you local grasses and stuff

[astrobud311]

I have been through extensive training for aircraft corrosion control and aircraft paint and finish. Don't worry about pressure washing the boat first, your gonna sand it and get it dirty anyway. If the paint on the boat is good and not flaking or peeling go ahead and scuff sand the whole boat. You want a nice uniform surface and ensure any gloss is gone. After your sanding is done wash the boat with soap and water. After it dries the best thing to use for any bare metal spots is a chemical conversion coating called alodine, it may be hard to find but I promise you it's the best. The alodine can be bought in a pen where you just push the tip down and saturate the tip and color it on the bare metal spot. The aluminum has to be COMPLETELY clean with a water break free surface, and dry before you apply the alodine. The alodine dries in like 10 minutes you can paint right after it's dry. The alodine forms a chemical bond with the aluminum, after it's applied you can't even sand the stuff off, it forms a gold color metal when dry and paint will not come off any surface preped with alodine I promise. The alodine dries and forms microscopic hooks, kinda like velcro, paint bonds to this stuff no other. Can't tell you how much it costs but we use this on any bare aluminum on the aircraft before paint, and the paint does not come off again. Etching primer will also work but anyone that uses there aluminum jon boats in saltwater will defenitly want to use this stuff, you will NEVER get corrosion on spots treated with alodine.

[TarheelDuckCommander]

Thanks guys for the advice. I have been busy trying to get this thing done before I go back to school and it turned out great. Again thanks for the guidance fellas.

[crispy8034]

Is it done? Any pictures?

[TarheelDuckCommander]

I've got the green on the boat. Still waiting to get the seats in and other odds. I will post some pics hopefully in the next few days.