Paint suggestion.

[jaycee159]

What primer did you use? I used Rustoleum self-etching primer on a few spots on my boat without painting over and it's held up fine.

I think you'll be fine either way. If that primer fades a bit it really shouldn't matter for a duck boat. Unless it fades to white or something. With your camo stenciling and hydroturf I think you've broken up the boat outline well enough that it will hunt good. I would stay away from a clear coat. It will probably give everything some shine, which you obviously don't want in a duck boat. They do make flat clear coat, which I've used when repainting decoys. It did OK, but I say it still had just a bit of shine to it which is was OK for the decoys but on a larger area like your boat I'd imagine it would be amplified.

I also used the rustoleum self etching primer. I found some flat clear. But not sure if it's going to be worth the time and effort..

 

[Johnny]

The "problem" with automotive primers is that they
contain salts and other minerals that attract moisture.
Primer, in itself, is not weather or UV tolerant and was
not meant to be. It is designed to provide a bond between
the metal and topcoat.

here lies the rub: you have probably seen people riding
around in their cars or trucks that they did some body work
to and sprayed a lot of gray primer on the work and you can
see rust seeping from every pore of the primer that only covers
the metal. Some believe that it also enables moisture to get into
the Bondo which will rust from the bottom out . . . .
So, if you are doing automotive body work, apply a sealer
over the primer if you can not apply the top coat within a few days.
(it says "Primer Sealer" right on the can).

okay - now we are talking about aluminum. It does not rust.
so, that eliminates that worry of the equation. It is very doubtful
that any significant amount of corrosion will form under the primer
or paint any time soon. and it definitely will cause no harm.
My very strong suggestion is to NOT apply a clear coat (of any kind).
it is supposed to be rustic, RIGHT ??? well, faded paint is rustic.
just use it as is - enjoy - go kill some birds.

jus my Dos Centavos

All about Primers = https://www.tinboats.net/primer-and-paint-basics/






.

 

[jaycee159]

The "problem" with automotive primers is that they
contain salts and other minerals that attract moisture.
Primer, in itself, is not weather or UV tolerant and was
not meant to be. It is designed to provide a bond between
the metal and topcoat.

here lies the rub: you have probably seen people riding
around in their cars or trucks that they did some body work
to and sprayed a lot of gray primer on the work and you can
see rust seeping from every pore of the primer that only covers
the metal. Some believe that it also enables moisture to get into
the Bondo which will rust from the bottom out . . . .
So, if you are doing automotive body work, apply a sealer
over the primer if you can not apply the top coat within a few days.
(it says "Primer Sealer" right on the can).

okay - now we are talking about aluminum. It does not rust.
so, that eliminates that worry of the equation. It is very doubtful
that any significant amount of corrosion will form under the primer
or paint any time soon. and it definitely will cause no harm.
My very strong suggestion is to NOT apply a clear coat (of any kind).
it is supposed to be rustic, RIGHT ??? well, faded paint is rustic.
just use it as is - enjoy - go kill some birds.

jus my Dos Centavos

All about Primers = https://www.tinboats.net/primer-and-paint-basics/






.

thanks Johnny, very insightful!

 

[BigTerp]

I also used the rustoleum self etching primer. I found some flat clear. But not sure if it's going to be worth the time and effort..

My suggestion would be to leave it as is. I don't think you'll have any problems.