Aluminum boat hull

[Chinook Chaser]

Getting my islander ready for the slip and need some info on hull prep. My understanding is that anti fouling is not a necessity with an aluminum hull. Can I just clean it with aluminum boat hull cleaner put several thick coats of good quality marine wax on her and be good to go.

[MCF]

My experience with either fiberglass or aluminum is the same, in order to avoid fouling you need to paint it, wax slows it down but does not prevent it.

[levelwind]

I had a 20' Crestliner that I did not paint the bottom and it was a chore to clean off in the fall. I now own a 28' Marinette aluminum cruiser. I paint the bottom every year with a thin coat of Interlux Trilux 33. Made for aluminum. Other bottom paint contains copper which is bad for aluminum. I hope this helps

Brian

[Chinook Chaser]

Is the paint mentioned an anti fouling paint? Or it will just help keep junk off better than wax. What type of prep is required for that paint?

[MCF]

Levelwind is referring to an anti-fouling paint.

[MCF]

from the west marine site:

 

http://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/DIY-Bottom-Painting

 

if the boat has never been painted, you are looking at two coats this year based on my own experience from the past.

[Chinook Chaser]

Can I just clean the hull good and paint it

[MCF]

I presume you have an Islander that is at least a couple years old.  If that is the case, I have done two older aluminum boats by just cleaning the bottom and painting with fine results-no peeling paint etc.  I still own one of the boats that I did paint way, again no issues.

 

So the answer is yes, you want to make sure you purchase paint that is for aluminum boats as mentioned in the post above.  If your boat has one of the anodes on the transom, you want to make sure you do not paint over that anode.   

[Rich s]

I kept my 1989 islander in mexico slip all season.. I waxed it before putting in .. It came out cruddy and I before storing. It was a chore but scotch brite pads, pressure washer , simple green and tons of elbow work took the crud off , the rivet areas are tough.

I thought about anti foul paint only due to electorally corrosion.. Even with anodes, I still see it happening. 

Good luck

[Chinook Chaser]

It had never been painted with antifouling paint. Do I need to prep the existing paint by sanding? Do I need use a primer first?

[Chinook Chaser]

Did some more research and it looks like it works good over existing hull paint. I have pressure washed her. Should I clean it with some kind or cleaner to remove the remaining scummy junk before I paint the hull? If so what should I use. I do see there is a hull cleaner but have found many ideas on line. I was gonna wipe it down with paint thinner call it good and paint it. Any more thoughts or suggestions?

[Chinook Chaser]

Dosent look like mineral spirits works to clean boat hulls. Lol