How to Paint Aluminum Boat

Buying an aluminum boat a few years back gave me a different feeling and enjoyment. Owning a boat was a fulfillment of a long-time dream since I was young. However, there was a sense of dissatisfaction on my part with regards to the aluminum color of the boat. I felt that the color look so dull and less appealing.

A few days after, I have to learn how to paint aluminum boat properly. I wanted my boat to look colorful and lively so that it looks appealing to me and the others. But painting an aluminum boat the right way was easier said than done. There are procedures to follow to produce the best result and make the sea vessel more attractive.

In this article, I will show you the right way to paint an aluminum boat. This procedure has been tested and tried by my own boat a few years ago. It will bring a lot of changes and improve the appearance of the vessel when properly applied.

What to Prepare Before the Painting?

The first thing to do is to prepare everything you need, including the boat itself. It would help if you also made the place where the painting will take place. It should be free from obstruction and other things that might provide inconvenience to the painter. If you can make the boat elevate above the ground, it will be more convenient compared to painting it on the ground.

Make sure to have soap, brush, and a hose that contains a power nozzle. These materials will be used in cleaning and washing the boat. You also need to cover the flooring of your work surface. Plastic or a piece of paper is good enough to do this.

You will also need electric fans to ventilate the painter when painting inside the boat. Other things to prepare are sandpaper, paintbrushes, rollers, and sprayers. Of course, do not forget the paint thinner, primer, paint, and a clear coating.

Additional Pre-Painting Preparation

Aside from preparing the place and the materials, it would help if you also prepared the boat to be paint-ready. Here are the steps to make the vessel before painting the boat.

Sanding the boat

This procedure is one of the most important steps to do to be successful in painting the sea vessel. Sanding the boat is to remove old paint and other things attached to the aluminum surface. The sandpaper will be use in this activity, and it will clean and shine the surface of the boat.

Cleaning the entire boat

The next step is to clean the aluminum surface right after the sanding process. You can use the hose, which I mention earlier, to clean all the debris. However, you can also use a pressure washer as an alternative to clean all dirt on the surface. Furthermore, use the soap and the brush to clean the surface and rinse it thoroughly and adequately.

Preparing the place around the boat

After cleaning the boat, the next step is to prepare the area near and around the boat. Use plastic or a paper to be laid on the ground. This place will serve as the painter’s working area. Then put the electric fans inside the vessel to ensure proper ventilation during the painting process.

Painting Aluminum Boat

The Application of Primer

The next step is to apply the primer to help in adhering the paint to the aluminum surface.

The primer will also help in providing additional protection and layer that will assist in preventing corrosion on the surface. It is advisable to use a primer that is specifically made for aluminum surfaces to produce the best result.

Please take note that the secret towards the right application of the primer is to read the instruction. Different primers offer a different time of application. Some brands require you to apply the primer right after sanding and cleaning the surface. Other brands will tell you to use the primer after an hour or two of cleaning the surface.

Whether you apply right away or wait for an hour, it does not matter. The main point is to follow what is the instruction stated in the primer brand you will be using. The primer can be applied using a brush, a roller, or a sprayer, depending on what you have. I used to have multiple coatings with the primer to achieved the best results.

The Aluminum Boat Painting

After doing the preparatory stages, it is now time to paint the aluminum surface of your boat. For me, this is the most natural part of the whole painting process.

Based on experience, I will highly recommend using water-resistant paint. The specific color will, of course, depend on your choice.

I will also recommend doing two coats or more to achieve a much better result. Again, you will need the brush, paint roller, and the paint sprayer depending on the area you are painting. The paint roller is the best use for broader and longer surfaces, while the paintbrush and sprayer will be for those difficult areas.

The Clear Coat Application

Applying the clear coat to the surface will be beneficial to achieve the best result in your painting activity. It will help in protecting the paint and the coating from the effect of UV rays. It will also help in enhancing the glossiness and the shininess of the surface. The clear coat will also help in preventing stain and corrosion to the overall surface of the boat.

The process of applying a clear coat is just the same as applying the paint. You can have the option to use the clear coating as your original paint. The boat will show the silver metallic look of the aluminum. I wouldn’t say I like the color of the aluminum, which is why I painted my boat. But this is an added option for you just in case you want the metallic look of the aluminum.

Reminders

If you still not familiar with painting your boat, it would be great to contact professional painters to do the job. These professional painters come with a wealth of experience in doing the best painting job in your boat. As a bonus, you can have the option to pick their brains and ask them to teach you the right techniques in painting a boat. For sure, they can answer and handle all your queries related to painting a boat.

Conclusion

Painting your aluminum boat is not an easy thing to do. There are a lot of things to remember to learn the proper ways on how to paint aluminum boat.

In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide to help you paint your aluminum boat in the right direction. The process I have presented was based on my real experience of painting my boat.

We hope that the information we have presented will help you in the proper ways to paint the boat. From the preparation to the painting, and the application of the clear coat, we are certainly hoping that you learn a thing or two from our guideline. Rest assured that it will help in producing the best result in your painting activity.