Weathered Koffler Driftboat

[Catch 22]

We have an older Koffler driftboat. It's in excellent condition except for the paint. No self respecting salmon get's even near the old boat. Yes, I'm sure it's the boat. images/icons/wink.gif What are my options? What do I use to remove the old weathered paint? Which brings me to another idea. What about just removing the old paint and leaving it bare aluminum? Any help would be appreciated.

[FishinMission]

I'd check into various types of "blasting", using different materials, or ask the counterperson at a local automotive paint supplier. They're usually pretty helpful if you tell them you don't know what you're doing.

[Hookset]

The option I like is to call Koffler, set up an appointment and have them refurbish the boat. You strip the boat down and have them replace the floors, remove the old paint, add new paint for the inside, seat box, maybe outside, all with clear coat. A complete face lift. It'll make the boat look and feel new again AND cheaper then a new boat.

good luck,

Gregg

[willierower]

The easiest thing to do is to take the boat into a reputable auto painter and have the boat repainted. When you spray aluminum you have to spray an etching primer over the bare aluminum. This stuff is almost impossible to remove.
If you plan on painting it yourself, Do not sand the paint to bare metal. Just scuff it real good with 320 grit sand paper, feather the edges of any rock chips or deep scratches. Spray a filler primer over the chips and scratches. Sand and keep applying the filler primer until all the scratches and rock chips are filled. Use a sealer like DP 40 over the prepped surfaces, Then spray your new paint.
For the inside of the boat, just sand the old Zolatone smooth with either 220 or 320 grit sandpaper or you can use a Scotch Brite pad. Spray the new Zolatone and spray sme clear coat over that. Its all fairly easy if you have access to all the paint equipment. If not its easier and cheaper to have someone else do it.
If you have some else do it make sure they put claer coat over the Zolatone. A good paint for a driftboat would be Imron. Its a Polyurethane enamel. Its very tough and lasts forever.

[Catch 22]

So you're ssaying that I'm never gonna get the original paint off? So just making it a silver aluminum boat is not the answer? If anyone knows a way to get the original paint off, would you let me know. I'm trying to pretty the boat up as economically as I can.