Bottom paint on aluminum boat

[Prof T]

I have a 2016 Crestliner Commander, welded aluminum, that has a factory paint, NOT BOTTOM PAINT, white, on the bottom. It is left in the water at my dock April through November. When I pull it in the fall, it is an absolute mess and much harder to get clean than any boat I’ve ever had.

 

Has anyone ever put bottom paint on aluminum? I know Interlux makes a formula specifically for aluminum. If I prep it myself should I try to remove all of the factory paint or just get a good scuff on it?

 

Any info, opinions or contacts would be appreciated.

[Bozeman Bob]

I would just scuff it , no way would i bother going down to the bare metal . Amazon has aluminum boat bottom paint . I would buy the least expensive stuff , no matter what you put on it , every couple years your doing it again.  The base or primer coat should be a different color than the final coat . That way you'll see it when it starts to wear off and can get away with touch ups for awhile . As long as it doesn't have copper in it you're good to go . 

Edited February 23 by Bozeman Bob

[MCF]

As you know aluminum boats require a special paint.   As stated above it can be prepped by just scuffing it and you do the primer coat and then the actual bottom paint coat.  It has been years since I have had the boat that I did but I had that boat seven or eight seasons and the paint stayed on fairly well.