Repainting duck boat

[hockeybc69]

I know, I can google this type of thing, but I prefer to get some firsthand experience to go along with google info.

Wondering what some thoughts are on properly repainting an aluminum boat.

Its had a few layers of paint slapped on it over the years, but lots of areas are bare aluminum.

What steps would you recommend taking to prep, prime?, paint?

[booger]

Not sure I did it "properly" but I just washed it in paint thinner and then sanded and then power washed. Then I used some aluminum marine primer from Cabelas. And then rattle can sprayed it. I tried to go flat but some colors were matte. The ultra flat camo stuff is ideal but they were out of a couple colors.

I also sprayed it with some textured (sand-like) stuff that was on sale and the truck bedliner stuff.

Any way I look at it rubbing something hard against paint is going to scrape it off. Also if the paint doesn't come off after paint thinner, sanding and washing, just leave it. It's not coming off.

[bassmann77]

I painted my bare aluminum boat this year. I sanded all the areas down and used the self etching primer in the spray can. I tried to spray gun paint with the HS Strut camo in the can from Fleet Farm. Biggest waste of money. It didn't adhere at all and was junk. I re-sanded the entire boat again and used the Rustoleum camo spray paint khaki or sand color for the entire boat. Took about 4-5 cans. Than put some design around the boat to create a shadow look. I also used the bedliner spray for the floor. It turned out great and is holding up pretty well. I figure that I will have to touch up areas every year, but overall for a backyard spray job it turned out well. Here is a picture of the finished product:

[Proskier2038]

I had an old aluminum boat with about 5 layers of paint- I scraped and pressure washed several times- menards has a great paint for duck boats and it comes in a white plastic gallon jug - can't remember brand- 3rd year and still looks great! I also mixed in silica sand for floor and benches and that was a great Idea- more traction and grip !

[HugoBox]

Try googling "how to paint a shotgun" the same process you find would be great on a boat using the same paint you see in the pix above (great looking paint job BTW). I don't want to post the link or I may get put in the penalty box. I used the process on several guns and have gotten great feedback.