Paint over aluminum hull

[Jaysen]

Local guy bought an aluminum boat for the local waters. Apparently I'm the local nut job building his own boat so everyone sent him to me with the following question:

What should I use/do to repaint my hull?

I told him to scrape/wire bush any lose paint off (do entire hull to rough it up). Seal any exposed metal with etching primer. Next was a general primer. Not sure what to tell him for top coat. I'm thinking EMC since the aluminum will flex a bit. I also mentioned that I could be entirely wrong and would ask folks smarter than me.

Anyone have any advice I should pass on to him? Recommendations on top coat?

Thanks.

[Fuzz]

Take a wire brush on a sander/grinder and knock all the paint off it. Go fishing.
Best thing about a tin can is you can beat and bang, use and abuse, them and it does not hurt their looks. That is a large part of why aluminium is so popular here for work boats.

[Jaysen]

That was my idea. Some people just like doing things the hard way. According to the boss I fall into that category...

[BB Sig]

That could be said for everyone on this forum! Nothing about doing this would be considered easy except a kit and that only lasts so long as "easy".

[Jaysen]

That could be said for everyone on this forum! Nothing about doing this would be considered easy except a kit and that only lasts so long as "easy".

As kit cheater (and proud of it) I can confirm the truth of your response

[fallguy1000]

I did a Lund once upon a day and it came out great. Sold the boat to a guy for a lousy 800 bucks (it was gorgeous in and out) and he hemmed and hawed about it and I finally told him to buy it or I was going to think he was stupid and go back in the house. Then he said how about 750 and I laughed and said he should go shop new.

Sand, fill, mask off, then

Etching primer.
Primer. Sandable is better and you can reprime usually. Nice if so cuz imperfections pop under primer, not so much the etch.
Topcoat preferred finish.

I like the three step method. I think Interlux might have a two step method now as well. A two part topcoat is harder, so you start there and buy the right primers.