painting bottom of tin boat?

Is it necessary to paint the bottom of an aluminum boat? Why?

No. Because you don't have to.

it's all about appearance for fresh water... but, antifouling paint does help with any type of marine growth the might try to stick itself to the bottom of your boat

Brine said:

No. Because you don't have to.

Click to expand...

it's all about appearance for fresh water... but, antifouling...

Click to expand...

Both correct.

Aluminum corrodes very fast. The corrosion that appears on aluminum actually protects the metal itself. Much like steel (non-stainless) can be given a patina or blueing to inhibit rust. It won't stop it completely but it slows the process. Blueing on a firearm is a type of rust.

If you sand the oxidation off aluminum (using an abrasive - aluminum oxide - to remove aluminum oxide) you'll expose raw aluminum that will oxidize quickly. All you're doing is slowly thinning out the metal.

Look how many 20 or 30 year old pontoon boats are still floating around on unpainted pontoons. You've got nothing to worry about.

Thanks folks