boat restoration

[gene bethea]

I know there's a few of you old codgers who have restored  aluminum boats.  I'm restoring an old v-bottom alumnacraft boat.  I want to paint it, but I remember that its kinda difficult to get the paint to stick on aluminum.  Its got some old paint on it.  I plan to get off most of it, especially the paint thats peeling.  Any recommendations for a paint that'l stick to aluminum that won't cost an arm and a leg?( I meant "old codger" in the nicest kind of way!!!!)
I plan on it being a "duck" boat so I'm wanting some  dull type paint, not the kind you see on newer boats that shine and glisten like jewels.

[blufloyd]

xo rust or something like that. Painted a couple aluminum yard sheds but they were powdercoated to start I think.

[Kirk Dietrich]

I'll bet some kind of metal primer would be ideal. I say bet because I've never done it but in the 1970's I remember many cars driving around with primer on them for years with good intentions for final coats that never materialized.
You could probably get a few cans of spray primer and knock it out.

Kirk

[Gary Troutman]

use a self-etching primer after you have prepped for painting. I bought a few cans at my local auto parts store. I recommend using Parkers duck boat paint. I wanted a non-refective cool to the touch paint for the inside of my boat. I went with the duck boat grey and it worked great. I ordered it over the phone and had it in a few days. cabelas also carries it.
Plenty of users of the product on tinboats forum also.

This is the interior of my boat painted with Parkers



The exterior paint is undercoated with self -etch primer also but with tractor implement paint bought at the Co-op. Its held up very good.

[Ron Mc]

nice work, Gary

[gene bethea]

yep; cool work Gary;thanks for the help everybody