To prime or not to prime

I have a 1985 duracraft with original paint. It has numerous scratches and rashes down to the aluminum, nothing too big but quite a few of them. Would I be better off sanding and priming before paint as opposed to just sanding and painting it? The factory paint is not flaking off anywhere on the boat. Thank you for your help.

After sanding you will need to spot prime the bare aluminum areas.

lckstckn2smknbrls said:

After sanding you will need to spot prime the bare aluminum areas.

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Any reason not to just prime the whole thing?

dkuster said:

lckstckn2smknbrls said:

After sanding you will need to spot prime the bare aluminum areas.

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Any reason not to just prime the whole thing?

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If you don't prime bare aluminum with a self-etching primer the paint won't stick. There's no need to prime with a self-etching primer where the old paint is adhering to the aluminum.

Would there be any ill effects if I primed the existing factory paint? I think it would be easier to prime the whole thing than try to hit every little spot. Thanks

Exactly! That is the question I was trying to ask...

The Guy said:

Would there be any ill effects if I primed the existing factory paint? I think it would be easier to prime the whole thing than try to hit every little spot. Thanks

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