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damianz31

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Joined
Feb 18, 2015
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Location
McHenry IL
First time posting here but i have started a small boat project.
I finished the trailer by sanding it then spraying primer then black rust-oleum. Trailer turned out good.
On to the boat,
I took the benches out, left the side planks that were holding the benches in, they will help with the rebuilding process.
I also power washed the whole boat with sand and water mix which took all the paint off nicely and made boat nice and clean.
Then when i went to local home depot to see what kind of paint to use they told me i need to go to local marina because non of the paint they have will last in water... they had large variety of rust-oleum.
I went to local marina and they told me i need to go to a specialty paint store such as the local sherwin-williams.
I did and Sherwin William told me the they do have boat paint but in California and would have to ship it.
Is there any type of paint i can buy in local home depot or anything that will work?
Pictures of boat posted
Boat before 2.png
Boat no seats.png
Trailer before.png
Rust-oleum.png
Trailer painted.png

What can i use to paint the outside and inside of this 14ft aluminum boat...
Boat washed.png
 
There are many good options to paint an aluminum boat, but to me the most vital step is to be sure and use an etching primer. Rust-Oleum's self-etching primer is a zinc-chromate based primer that adheres to aluminum very well. It is very much like what is used in aircraft manufacturing.

Many members of this forum have had great luck using rust-oleum and other off-the-shelf aerosol paints. These days it will surprise you what they are capable of.
 
skyline223 said:
Many members of this forum have had great luck using rust-oleum and other off-the-shelf aerosol paints.
And I'm one of them :) . I've used R-Os enamels ABOVE the waterline and they've held fast (if prepped properly w/ the etching primer) and the color has maintained its gloss. I've used it recently on a 12' and 14' skiff left in saltwater (brackish really) from mid-May to sometime in OCT.

The bottoms were prepped, etched and then painted w/ the special made-for-aluminum anti-fouling paint.
 
So using a primer then using the rust-oleum on the outside the boat will last with long periods of use in water?
 
Me personally, would not use rattle cans to paint a boat. I just don't have
the patience for it - plus it takes so many, compared to a quart of brush on.
If you use the search button, you will find so many options to choose from.
Just pick one for the finish that you are trying to get.

I use Rust Oleum aluminum primer (that I had to order from Amazon.com).
then, whatever topcoat that strikes my fancy. Sometimes it is oil enamel,
sometimes it is a 30 year exterior latex house paint from the Big Box Stores.
And in the last 5 years or so, my boating adventures are about 6 hours in the water
at any given time. Not overnight or days at a time. So the paint is not really
affected by being IN the water. It is mostly beat up by the sun's UV rays.

:WELCOME:
 
Keep suggestions coming!! All are helping and put into consideration! I will be purchasing paint in next couple days so i will keep looking at this site!

Another questions for suggestions and help!
Another thing i want to add is to the trailer and that is another "rack?" to hold boat in place.
What i mean (the carpet covered piece of wood or metal that holds boat onto trailer)
I have two that go under boat when boat comes onto trailer
I want to make 2 more on the side (one on each side) to hold the boat in place and not let boat go side to side
When i first purchased boat i had to tie down the boat around the center so that boat didn't roll off...
I would like to build two racks one on each side to the trailer
Any suggestions?
 
If the boat is not kept tied to the dock for weeks on end Rustoleum or Tractor / implement type oil based enamel paints will be just fine.
 
Damian:

If you use paint from a can, use the "roll & tip" method. Takes 2 people, one to roll-out and the other to 'tip' w/ a foam brush. Replace foam brushes often to keep a fresh edge and work from one tipped section into freshly rolled paint. Working in small sections, the 'tipper' just lightly smooths out the pebbled surface of the roller. Work together so that the roller doesn't get too far ahead of the brush 'tip' guy or gal.

Simple and the results are phenomenal! We once did a 35' Downeast lobstah boat this way and the finish looks like she was sprayed on.

BTW, Trilix 33 anti-fouling for tin boats still SUCKS ... so I'm going to try e-Paints AF paint this year. And NOTE you do not need AF paint if you are not keeping the boat in the water for more than a few days at a time, IMHO.
 
for your side boards on your trailer you can order them online from anybody that sells trailer parts and just bolt them on. unless you want to get creative with square tubing. bass pro and cabelas would have them also not sure wich would be cheeper
 
I used etching primer then Krylon satin olive from Wally world. Easy to touch up when it gets scratched. My wife the school teacher has one of those cricket decal machines so I got me some vinyl and made some new decals. I also contacted some of my favorite bait companies for some free decals. Zoom bait company was awesome and I have and always will use their baits. Would you believe that bass pro shops said they didn't have any free decals at the moment. I guess I spend all my money at my local tackle stores and it's hurting bps business. :?
 
Thanks guys! Painting is finished! It turned out great but i wish i could redo the outside of the boat! oh well... Next time!

What i went with:

All Rustoleum Paint

Went with self etching primer on the boat worked great!

On the outside what i don't like is that i used a spray can and after i did the roll and tip method (thanks DaleH) on the inside of the boat that paint out of a can turned out to be a lot stronger than the spray! And honestly it was a lot easier to use a roller! First time in my life that i used one too! The paint in all turned out really nice! Thanks to everyone on this forum!
Now i am on to the building!

This is a link to my build:
https://forum.tinboats.net/viewtopic.php?t=37206
 

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