Alumaweld Paint

[GWB]

I have a 2000 Alumaweld Intruder and was just wondering if anyone else is having trouble with the speckled clearcoated paint on the gunnells and the bow area of their boats. I have about 39 hours on mine and it is coming off in sheets. Boat is clean and always covered but parked outside.

Any Info?

GWB

[snit]

Is the main paint a "splatter paint" like zolatone? If so, the zolatone clear coat just doesn't last. Especially if it's exposed to the UV rays. Most all jet boats offer zolatone as a option on the interior and exterior (above water line) finishes and it sure looks nice, but it jsut doens't hold up to lots of use.

It's a very versatile paint, but after doing some research, I found out it's not meant to be used in a outside application! That's why they apply a clear coat, to make the paint more weather resistant. But, the clear coat shrinks, cracks and yellows and also looses it's adhesion to the base paint.

I had this happen on my Fishrite after a few years. My dad's Fishrite has the same thing happening now too. In fact, I've hardly seen a sled painted with zolatone that's over 4 years old that the clear coat isn't chipping off. I waited until it just got to ugly and I sanded off all the zolatone and repainted the boat with new zolatone and a thicker clear coat. That's how I found out that the zolatone really wasn't meant to be used outside, buy perusing their website when I was looking for painting information.

[FrogPond]

my buddies did the same thing. His is white. It started falling off around all the welds first. He took it back to the dealer and they aranged for it to be repainted under warranty.

Josh

[GWB]

Been the dealer route last year some time but was informed only a one year warranty applied. I guess I'll sand her down and give her a good squirt of something that will last.

Just seems like a pain for a newer boat. :depressed:

Thanks,
GWB

[iwanttofish]

I think it would be fun to go and complain to someone at the boat show about it since you will have an audience.

[FrogPond]

I don't think the dealer was very happy about setting that up with alumaweld, but he threatened to leave it there.

Of course while at alumaweld, he paid them to add a bunch of diamond plate to it so in the end it wasn't free.

[GWB]

I don't want anyone to misunderstand, I am very happy with my ownership of my Alumaweld product just not the paint. As an owner I will take the responsibility for that which is not warranted but just the same if it is a known problem I would like some help. As for the boat show, I couldn't make a fuss like that, that would be pretty rough for them and I would hate it if it were done to me, but I did see a nice Thunderjet I D#@N near traded mine in on.

GWB

[007]

I have enjoyed trouble free paint on my 1997 Alumaweld sled. It was not clear coated and the only wear on the zolitone is at points of contact i.e. when the pedestal seat rubs against the sides. The diamond plate is an answer in heavily travelled areas. Tight lines.

[FrogPond]

no slight here on alumaweld boats! I think they had a bad batch of paint. The dealer didn't want to take the claim to alumaweld. The factory was more than willing to fix the problem! It was just getting it there that was the challenge.

Have you taken it to a paint shop and asked why it would come off like that? You may have a case.

Good luck! Just paint it camo & nobody will ever know! :laugh:

[AuntyM]

We have the same thing with ours. It's been garaged since we bought it and the finish started coming off as soon as we used it. I could swear there was no clear coat on it since I can rub the grains off in several places.

As far as warranty at the dealer who sold it to us, let's not go there. :noway:

Ours was also a 2000 Intruder.

[iwanttofish]

I think you guys need to get together and maybe do something about it. That is bad. Bot or not If your car was doing that you might be sitting in front of the dealers with a sign. You guys need to band together and make them stand behind there products. Call Alumaweld yourselves and bypass the dealer. I think it would be fun to go to the boat show and talk to them about the paint on the boats and see what great sales line you get from them. :dance:

[GWB]

Auntym,

Maybe Iwantofish is right about banding together and attempting to get our boats fixed. What could it hurt? (my pride was long wasted in my younger years). As for my dealer, they messed up just a simple thing like changing my kickers motor oil and unless it is warranty work I am reluctant. I know the owner of the boat dealership where I bought mine would be furious if his ferrari had this type of problem?

GWB

[AuntyM]

GWB, We're so far from the warranty, I doubt they would do anything.

I think what annoyed me the most is that we stowed vinyl rain gear under the seats and the flecks attached to the vinyl and wouldn't come off even after being washed in the washing machine.

We wound up taking our boat to a different dealer for servicing, (Three Rivers Marine in Woodenville!) after they kindly fixed the screw ups made by the selling dealer who shall remain nameless.

[FrogPond]

just out of curiousity...what colors are your boats?

My buddies is white.

[GWB]

AuntyM,

You are probably right, it is probably senseless to waste further time and effort on getting help. You'll have to PM me on who your dealer was as I beleive we may have had the same one.

Frogpond,

My boat is red with the gray speckled gunnels, shield and dash.

GWB

[AuntyM]

Tan with black.

It's no secret who the dealer was, since some of their faulty work was documented and reported to Alumaweld. Verle's in Shelton.

My name is AuntyM AKA Marsha Schaefer. :grin: