Totalboat Aluminum Boat Paints
In my opinion, this paint from TotalBoat is a good choice for a suitable paint for aluminum boat hull as it does not need any kind of surface preparation other than ensuring that the surfaces you will paint are pristinely clean. Unlike other paints that require a coat of primer, you can apply it directly to the scuffed-up aluminum surface.
I am also glad that it is easy to apply this TotalBoat aluminum boat paint over the surface. I produced an even coat using just a roller brush, so I reckon that you can get an even better result if you use a sprayer. It also dries up quite fast. I was able to put the second coat after just an hour of applying the first without sanding in between the coats.
Another feature I genuinely liked about this product is that it has a low-sheen finish, making it the perfect choice for fishing boats as the light will not reflect off the surface. With that, I can say that the paint is ideal for painting camouflage patterns on water vessels.
This aluminum boat paint is also highly durable. It is ideal not just for the exterior of the boat . I also discovered that it is useful in painting the deck and interior panels.
The only thing that I did not like is that the army green color is more of a mint green hue. I had to tint it with a bit of black to make it darker and closer to a camo green.
- Easy to apply using a brush or a roller
- Highly durable and resistant to abrasion
- The hue is not as dark as others expected.
Best Paints For Aluminum Boats: Reviews And Buying Guide For 2020
Sprucing up your aluminum boat with a fresh coat of paint is a great way of personalizing your boat, but paint is also important for protecting your boat. The right paint can prevent corrosion and UV damage, besides improving the performance of your boat.
If you have a boat with an aluminum hull, its important to choose a paint that you can apply over this material. Here are our top picks.
Why Does Paint Peel Off Aluminum
There are several reasons why paint loses its adhesion to aluminum surfaces, but more often than not, poor surface preparation is always to blame.
Below are few causes why paint peels off aluminum:
- Use of paint without first priming the surface
- Failure to clean or sand a baked-on enamel or glossy finish before repainting
- Inadequate removal of rust
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The Best Boat Paints For 2021
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What more could you want from your boat than to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible? For this, you need to take care of it and one way to do this is by painting it. Thats being said, its important to invest in the best boat paint today.
The best boat paints can help you maintain your boats good looks and shape. Learn what the best paint boat options are and a few useful tips on how to choose and apply them.
Sea Hawk Paints Aluma Hawk Aluminum Boat Paint
This is one of the best boat paint options you can find online and in stores. It is ideal for aluminum or fiberglass boats and many sailors praise it for its quality.
The Sea Hawk is a reliable and safe option for vessels and other submergence applications. You can deploy this product both as a topcoat, but also for the initial layer.
The biggest advantage of this paint is that you dont need more than a layer to gain good results, which makes it a good investment and helps you save time and effort.
The Sea Hawk paint also dries quite quickly and has a good capacity to prevent corrosion.
Moreover, you dont need a primer to use it. In terms of cons, remember that you need a thinner for this paint thats pretty thick and you also have to paint with skill and confidence since it dries immediately.
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Aluminum Boat Paint Reviews
Barnacle build-up is annoying to boat owners because it can quickly cover the vessel and ruin the curb appeal.
Aside from that, when the boats hulls get coated with marine growth, it weighs down your boat, causing your motor to lose speed and use more fuel.
Now, thats where the Rust-Oleum 207013 Marine paint is useful. The coating keeps algae, barnacles larvae, and other off the hulls.
Its ideal for use on aluminum, woody, and fiberglass boats to prevent fouling below the waterline.
More precisely, this product is suitable for both saltwater and freshwater. The sturdy, smooth finish produces a flat sheen that surpasses most aged antifouling coatings.
It has an average drying time and covers approximately 110 square feet. However, you can recoat in 4 hours and ready to launch in 16 hours.
After reading this review, and fail to add Gluvit in your marine paint collection, then you are missing the point.
Because Marine-Tex RM330K Gluvit will impart a beautiful barrier coat that minimizes water absorption and galvanic corrosion it is a must-have product.
This paint is also useful in the interior path of the boat. You can revive a deteriorated wood deck with a few strokes.
Do the rivets leak? Well, not anymore. Gluvit will solve this issue without having to re-rivet or drill your entire boat.
It seals leaky rivets and seams in aluminum hulls, as well as leaks around fiberglass cabins or decks. It also fills minor pinholes and cracks.
Best Aluminum Boat Paint For Protection & Durability
Do you have an aluminum boat that spends part of its life in the water? If so, painting it with the best aluminum boat paint is a must since this enables it to last longer reducing the need for costly repair or replacement due to wear and tear.
Best Aluminum Boat Paint
Having in mind that not all paints are created equally, below are our best picks of aluminum boat paints that I recommend that you give a try. Have a look and use the provided buyers guide so that you can pick a product that is worth your money.
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How Often Should A Jon Boat Be Painted
Painting a Jon boat is usually an annual or biennial task. You can take your time painting your boat during the colder winters months when you are not out on the water, or the task can be completed quicker in the drier and warmer spring/summer months.
A good coat of quality marine grade paint should last up to two years, depending on how you use your boat and how often you use it. Heavy boat use in challenging environments and challenging conditions may mean you need to repaint the boat at least once per year though.
If you have a Jon boat that is frequently left out on the water, or even regularly trailered, then take time to inspect its condition and consider painting it whenever you feel it is needed regardless of your usual maintenance schedule. A quick lick of paint on a your boat when it looks like it needs it can prevent costly repair bills later.
Hunters Specialties Liquid Paint
If you need to buy reliable and premium quality paint in painting aluminum boat hull, this product is worth a try. As for ease and convenience of use, fast-drying ability and permanent camouflage paint color, this is the best bang for the money.
This aluminum boat paint does a good job of flowing well from a spray gun and it is reliable in terms of covering properly. Truth is, this paint product coats well over primer. Hence, if you prefer to provide your boat or vehicle a permanent camouflage paint look, then this is the one! This can help restore your old vehicle or boat and make it look like an expensive and brand new one.
It is not time-consuming to use and apply and it can dry fast as well. You can always expect a good finish without any hideous lumps to take care of. Its quart can size is already adequate enough to cover a large area.
- Tends to become hard easily
- A bit high price tag
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Duralux M737 1 Marine Paint
Using this DURALUX marine paint is rewarding. Its not only an ideal duck boat paint but its also great for other vessels. Just imagine the 1.5-liter can is enough for 3 Jon boats. Ive known some individuals who used it for pools, bathrooms, walkways, and other stuff.
There are about a dozen colors, but my top picks for camouflage are green shades. Im okay with the slight sheen on its finish. With these qualities, I can surely hunt undetected to catch some game easily. This is truly a reliable DURALUX duck boat paint.
Whats more, what to expect from this paint is its toughness. Unfortunately, bumping onto the dock bumpers cant be avoided. However, its not a big deal because it doesnt chip or peel off easily. Then, it can also handle some steam and underwater use. Hence, its usually used as bottom paint. Its safe to say that its lasting and durable because it has proven to survive various situations.
I was fascinated that a primer isnt necessary, so it saves me from doing more tasks. The application is not challenging as it has good coverage. It goes a long way, even though I applied two coatings on my 14-foot duck boat. This is a thick paint, so it needs to be thinned out with the help of xylene.
- Primer may not be needed
- Exudes bad fumes
Define What Type Of Finish You Expect To Get
Needless to say, the pricier items are going to give you a better look regardless if we are talking about matte or gloss. A lot of boat maniacs care deeply about how well their renewed boat will look, but if you are among those that will go fishing once every other week, you may not care about the finish that much.
The bottom line is that your boat will look refreshed no matter what. The delicacy of the finish will be greater if you are willing to pay more. Even then, who does the actual paint job also matters? In the hands of a pro, even a cheaper paint may look like a luxury brand one.
And lastly, lets not underestimate what a good boat buffer can do. We have compiled reviews of the top boat buffers on the market, and if you pick the right one, even a budget can of paint may look marvelous.
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Totalboat Marine Topside Paint Primer
If you find it quite exhausting to look for the best primer for aluminum boat, then you may put an end to your long quest because the most exceptional primer that can meet your requirements is already right in front of you.
A cost-effective, high-performance and durable primer is what you are absolutely seeking for. By happy chance, this product features all of that. There is no need to wait for a long time before you can see final results.
This primer can be used for gel coat, wood and fiberglass as well. In like manner, this is available in gray and white colors, and in distinct gallon and quart sizes. Meanwhile, as for its coverage, it can be used for a total of 250 by up to 300 square feet per gallon.
- May take lots of work brushing it in the edges
- Dries pretty fast
A Brief About Aluminum Polish
Polishes are products formulated to remove painting defects from surfaces. Aluminum polishes, as the name suggests, are specifically for aluminum surfaces. They can remove scratches, paint defects, and traces left due to cleaning. While most of them are abrasive, there are non-abrasive options as well.
The market has 3 types of polishes today paste, liquid, and cream. Cream and liquid polishes are suitable for large vehicles such as trucks and semi-trucks. Pastes are usually suitable for smaller surfaces. So, if you are only polishing the aluminum parts of the semi-truck such as the wheel or the bumper, a paste will do.
Contents
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What Is The Best Paint To Use On A Aluminum Boat
The tricky thing about painting your aluminum boat is the fact that you cant use just any paint. Most painting products out there are not made for aluminum surfaces.
Aluminum is a softer metal that is susceptible to scratches. As such, you need to find a high-quality boat paint that will work perfectly on aluminum.
The best thing to do is to go to a paint store that has a lot of experience in this field. Ask the seller for advice and recommendations, and patiently explain the situation. They should be able to recommend a good product that will work well.
Painting An Aluminium Boat
Old, tired looking aluminium boats can have their appearance enhanced and lifespan extended with a new paint job that can easily be done as a DIY project.
The most important aspect of painting an aluminium boat is to ensure the surfaces are thoroughly prepared to ensure you achieve excellent adhesion of the paint coatings. Any contamination on the surface or an existing glossy coating will reduce the adhesion of the paint and result in premature failure of the coating.
If the boat is already painted, we would recommend removing the existing coatings using a commercially available paint remover. This will ensure all contamination is removed and the bare surfaces can be adequately prepared.
Aluminium oxidises when exposed to air. This oxidation needs to be removed which can be readily achieved using a solvent degreaser and a nylon souring pad. DO NOT use steel wool as the metal fibres will embed in the surface which will lead to the aluminium corroding preferentially to protect the steel. Once the surface has been cleaned it will start to oxidise so it needs to be painted straight away.
The aluminium must be primed with an Etch Primer first to provide adhesion and a key coat for your subsequent top coats irrespective of the final coating you choose.
Pop in to any of the Crowies stores and they will be able to assist with product and colour selection.
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Additional Considerations For Painting An Aluminum Boat
You need to prepare the surface before painting it. If there is old paint on your boat, you should use sanding paper to remove it. You might need to use a de-waxing treatment depending on the type of paint you decided to use.
Sanding is an important step because salt and slime can build up on your hull. Paint wont dry properly if you dont apply it to a clean surface.
Check the drying time of the paint you selected. Most products have a time window for applying additional coats or for launching your boat.
You will get better results if you apply a primer. A primer will make the paint last longer and help protect the hull.
When painting, remember to use thin layers. You might need to apply more than one coat of paint to get the most coverage possible or make the color look brighter.
Pettit Paint 3303q Shipendec
I only have praises for this paint as Ive been using it for so many years. The consistency of its quality never ceases. I trust it in taking care of my duck boat as I often go hunting in all seasons except winter. Its abilities are similar to what you can see in the Parker duck boat paint reviews.
The paint color is dull, dead grass, which creates the precise camo finish that every hunter wants. I need to blend with nature so my presence wont be known to the animals while hunting with my duck boat. I couldnt find any better paint than this when it comes to the camouflage effect. It doesnt only excel in color but with its covering properties and glossy finish as well.
It was originally made for wood, but it has shown compatibility with fiberglass and metal, which is used in building my duck boat. It can be painted directly to an enamel coating. If the old paint is made of enamel, you dont need to spend time getting rid of them.
A brush is the best tool when applying this paint. By all means, you can use a roller and a spray too. It all depends on your preference. If the vessel is not too big like my 16-foot duck boat, spraying is fine.
- Needs to buy exact thinner 120 or 121 separately
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How To Paint Your Boat
The good news is that you dont have to spend money on paying professionals to get your boat painted: if you have the space, do it yourself.
What do You Need?
Make sure you have everything before you start because you dont want to ruin the project by not having an item on hand:
- Paintbrushes or a sprayer, depending on your preference and paint type
- Plastic sheets to protect the floor from dripping paint
- A sander
- A fan if you want to speed up the drying process
Preparation
As mentioned, space is important, because youll need a large enough area to prop your boat on sawhorses and have enough space to move around it while you work. If your garage or garden is big enough, do it there. The garage is better, so you know the rain wont ruin your projectthis is a long process, so plan for a day or twos work.
Place the boat on top of the sawhorses and spread plastic underneath. Make sure you can easily reach everywhere, so position it near the floor or make sure you have a ladder on hand.
The boat itself also needs preparation:
Picking and Applying Paint
You determine the outcome of the boat painting even when picking out paint. The following characteristics determine how exceptional your boat will look:
Note: if you have a fiberglass boat, check out our guide of the best paint for fiberglass boats.
When youve decided on your paint, the process is simple:
When its dry, youre ready to go boating again!
