Painting Aluminum Boat on a Budget (lots of pics)

  • dtro
    Inactive
    Jordan
    Posts: 1501
    #1220421

    Finally got around to putting some fresh paint on my small aluminum boat.
    First time I did a paint job like this and I thought it can’t turn out much worse then I started with.
    So I dove right in.
    Now I realize there are specific products and procedures that will give better results and last longer (etch primer, etc). But I figure if it doesn’t last, or peels and chip, then I just do it again. No biggee

    Here is what I started with:

    This is the order I followed:
    1. Peeled all decals using a blow dryer and putty knife. Followed by cleaning up the residue with GoofOff.
    Also found some history. If gunwales could talk

    2. Gave it a good wash down with a mix of vinegar and hot water.

    3. Sanded with 120 grit followed by a wipe down with tack cloth.

    4. Mask off unpainted areas

    5. Paint. I used a protective enamel oil based paint (Rust Oleum) in leather brown using a compressor and spray gun.

    6. Let Dry and add second coat

    7. Let Dry again, mount engine and add decals.

    I give you “CATCRAFT”

    Total Cost
    Paint 1qt 7.99
    Tack Cloth 2.99
    Sandpaper 4.99
    elbow grease of approx 3-4hrs (not counting dry time)

    The bigger and better fish I’ll catch because I’m looking better doing it…….priceless

    blacksportsman
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 156
    #567744

    A fine looking job there, DTRO

    “Catcraft”…that’s awesome!

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #567747

    Brown? You should have made it look like a bass boat with all the speckly paint!

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #567765

    Quote:


    You should have made it look like a bass boat with all the speckly paint!


    Pug…you’re going to get hurt!

    Nice job Dtro…on the painting and post.

    dfresh
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 3053
    #567766

    I like it! Good use of an afternoon. The boat looks great – simple and sleek!

    larry_haugh
    MN
    Posts: 1767
    #567783

    Now she needs to be broken in. When is that gonna happen?
    Nice work mate.

    david_scott
    Twin Cities
    Posts: 2946
    #567787

    dtro… the boat looks great!

    You shouldnt have a problem with the paint peeling with the old factory paint on there.. makes for good primer that is already stuck the the aluminum.

    If you want the paint more durable and easier to clean… put a couple coats of clear gloss on the paint and it will harden it up considerably… tough stuff.

    dfresh
    Fridley, MN
    Posts: 3053
    #567793

    This reminds me of a guy I once saw painting his van with house paint…

    dan-thiem
    Zumbro Falls Mn.
    Posts: 387
    #567808

    Nice job there Mister! The Chocolate Catcraft. Way to go dt ro!

    love2fish
    Shoreview, Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 1024
    #567862

    Nice Job DTRO, looks like a brand new boat.

    John

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    #567869

    I like the action shots!

    Ralph Wiggum
    Maple Grove, MN
    Posts: 11764
    #567870

    Quote:


    Brown? You should have made it look like a bass boat with all the speckly paint!


    Pug, I actually saw a paddle boat on our lake last year that was done up purple flake just like a bass boat

    Brian Klawitter
    Keymaster
    Minnesota/Wisconsin Mississippi River
    Posts: 59992
    #567975

    Have you sold it yet Ralph?

    audemp
    Wi
    Posts: 721
    #568008

    Good work! You should have made it the color of a mottled Flathead!

    Brian Robinson
    central Neb
    Posts: 3914
    #568086

    Damn nice job there, man! I’m considering doing the same to my 14′ Lund I just got. I really like the red that it has now….but I’ve also been thinking about doing a camo job on it because I’d like to hunt ducks out of it too. Looks like I’ve got a decision to make.

    steve-demars
    Stillwater, Minnesota
    Posts: 1906
    #568108

    Nice job, Darren. She looks great and it didn’t take you that long to get it done. Good Luck with the break in cruise.

    dtro
    Inactive
    Jordan
    Posts: 1501
    #568212

    Thanks guys. Like I said, time will tell how it holds out. After a couple of days of sitting, the paint seems to have hardened up pretty good. It worked out kind of nice that R&R had some decals that match a flathead color pattern (top brown that fades into a yellowish color at the bottom).

    Whiskerkev
    Madison
    Posts: 3835
    #568518

    Sweet job. All it needs now are some whiskers painted on the front.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #568570

    Dtro, you need to install a clonk holder next.

    dtro
    Inactive
    Jordan
    Posts: 1501
    #568895

    Quote:


    Dtro, you need to install a clonk holder next.


    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #568918

    BADDCOMPANY
    Posts: 1
    #1179335

    I have just bought a 1960 Starcraft alum. boat. How long did your paint last? Everyone tells me I need to sandblast and use the etching primer! I really liked your approach. Thanks

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    #1179364

    Nice job Dtro, nice lines too. It technically takes about a month for oil based paint to completely harden and cure unlike latex which takes 2 weeks. Oil is very durable and good in high traffic areas like abrasions and river bottoms. Nice job.

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    #1179367

    B, my cousin had a body shop and painted cars for years and he also loved to hunt ducks and geese. He took some thin bendable plastic and traced around some oak and maple leaves he took of off a couple trees with a magic marker. He cut the center of the plastic out and layed each pattern over his whole johnboat one at a time. As he layed each pattern on the boat he would spray it a different fall color, marsh green, maple yellows and different shades or orange. When he was done it was a very cool duck and goose boat. Yours is a nice looking boat Dtro, not to take away from your job on your boat, nicely done.

    moxie
    Sioux City,IA
    Posts: 874
    #1179506

    Sweet, love the before and after pics!!

    dbright
    Cambridge
    Posts: 1867
    #1179510

    Anyone notice this post was from a few years ago? 2007

    mossydan
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts: 7727
    #1179531

    Its a good job anyway and good information for the guys who might want to do their own. Nothing like an old post coming back around.

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1179607

    Quote:


    Anyone notice this post was from a few years ago? 2007


    I noticed right away when I saw all the people who were replying.

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