Need

• Aluminum is an excellent material for boatbuilding. It is strong, light and doesn't rust. Because aluminum doesn't rust, aluminum boats do not require painting. Aluminum does oxidize when left in the elements, however. The oxidation leaves a dull sheen. Some boat owners like this sheen and allow the aluminum to stay exposed to the elements for many years. Other boat owners want a brilliant shine from their aluminum. This requires annual buffing with slightly abrasive materials. Another group of aluminum boat owners want a painted finish. Painting an aluminum boat can be difficult because some paints do not readily adhere to aluminum. An aluminum boat can be painted, however, if the proper materials are used in the correct sequence.
  
  

Size

• Aluminum boats come in nearly all sizes. Some aluminum boats are as small as 10 foot Jon boats while others are as large as 40 foot world-class sailing vessels. Painting or refinishing a small aluminum boat is a relatively easy task. Painting or refinishing a boat that is 20 feet or larger is a major undertaking. Owners desiring to paint or refinish a large boat should have much disposable time or consider paying a professional boat yard to accomplish the task.
  
  

Preparation

• Preparing a boat for refinishing or painting is similar. The boat needs to be taken from the water and turned over so the hall is completely revealed. The hull then needs to be cleaned with household cleaning solutions. After cleaning, the hull should be sanded with progressively lighter grit sandpaper until the metal is smooth and shiny. If the hull is to be only refinished without painting then the owner can stop at this point. If the hull is to be painted the owner then needs to apply primer and paint.
  
  

Primers

• If the boat will be painted, aluminum requires a pre-coat of primer. Primers are designed to both hold on to the surface layer of aluminum and then to aggressively hold paint. Without the primer most paints will not adhere to the aluminum. There are two types of primers used for aluminum. Mechanical primers attach to scratching that is left after standing. The primer spreads into the scratches and binds to them as it dries. Self etching primers chemically bond with aluminum. Both types of primers work well to hold paint.
  
  

Paint

• After priming, many types of paint can be used. Most boat owners use marine enamels or two-part epoxy paint. When using epoxy paint make sure to follow all the safety directions for the paint. Application methods vary from brushing to rolling to spray painting. Generally, spray painting gives a finer look than brushing or rolling. Brushing and rolling use much less equipment, however, and are sometimes more suited to the do-it-yourself boater.