More Boat Refinishing

blackdog · 06-04-2001, 07:42 AM

I've been following closely everybody's thoughts on refinishing their boats and gave mine a shot this weekend. I couldn't be happier! I started out with a sixteen year old aluminum driftboat made by a company called Steenson out of Washington (anyone ever seen one of these boats) that I had bought used ten years ago. I have done no maintenance since then and have abused it fairly regularly. Quite a bit of the inside was showing bare aluminum where there once was zoletone, the floorboards were rotted out, and the paddles on the Sawyer oars were getting really worn down. Some sandpaper and varnish fixed the oars, and new plywood and driftboat carpet fixed the floors. So, the main concern was covering the aluminum. Do I try zoletone or follow FishinMission's lead and try bedliner material? I went with the zoletone and it turned out better than ever imagined. Honestly looks like a factory finish, and done with little to no prior painting knowledge. Just followed the instructions on the can and within a day, have a brand new looking boat ( on the inside at least, the outside is next) for less than $175. I just hope that the new finish doesn't somehow put a 'new boat jinx' on it that will take some extra work to overcome. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Master Baiter · 06-04-2001, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the informative report BD! It is threads like this that make this site a valuable resource.

Thomas

Backlash2 · 06-04-2001, 09:12 AM

One suggestion for you is to clearcoat over the zolatone. Just zolatone will not hold up very well, it wears easily. A shot of clearcoat will protect the zolatone, that way you won't be doing this again in acouple of years [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

willierower · 06-04-2001, 09:51 AM

Like Backlash said, Use clearoat on the zolotone. Zolotone is oil and water based, Thats how it gets that spatter affect.
If you want to get the bare aluminum on your boat really clean and brite use Aluma-brite. Is an acid based cleaner that works awesome. I will report on t when I do my boat. My friend uses it on his sled.

Hottamale1 · 06-04-2001, 10:20 AM

Blackdog,

Did you Brush it on, Roll it or Spray It? I'm looking to do the exact same thing on my boat and I also have exposed aluminum where it was previously chipped off, etc. Did you give it a quick Power wash prior to the paint?

Scott

blackdog · 06-04-2001, 12:31 PM

I used a sprayer to paint it on. First coat goes on thicker at close range and second coat goes on thinner at further range for somewhat of a gloss. The directions suggest a certain psi in the compressor and the spray gun. We kept the compressor where suggested and winged the other part. It looks great, now we'll see how well it lasts. Prior to painting, I scrubbed the heck out of the boat with a red scotch-brite pad that really took off a lot of the old paint and really shined up the bare aluminum. I also sprayed on a layer of aluminum primer prior to the zoletone. I hadn't planned on clearcoating it, but after the many suggestions to do so, I may go back and do that before I get it totatly back together. P.S. HotTomale - finally got ahold of a tape of some of your shows and really like what I saw. I have been fishing with Travis Moncrief from Fins, Feathers, and Furs for many years as a buddy and its nice to see them get some good publicity. They are a couple of great, hard working guys who rarely go without getting into fish.

FishinMission · 06-04-2001, 01:03 PM

Hey Blackdog...good to see it came out nice. These kinds of things are really pretty easy to do..especially if you do your homework. When I read your first post...I didn't see anything about priming the bare aluminum...but picked it up in your following post. Kinda makes you feel good when you accomplish something like this, huh?? Congratulations!!

Hottamale1 · 06-04-2001, 04:42 PM

Blackdog,

Do you own the compressor & Sprayer or did you rent it?? If you own it, maybe......I can borrow it in exchange for a couple of fishin' trips [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Let me know! And you're right...Travis & Todd are a couple of good dudes...Fishing fools like all of us on this board!

Scott

blackdog · 06-05-2001, 07:05 AM

HotTamale1,
Unfortunately I don't own the sprayer and compressor, it was my neighbor's. It's amazing the help that a six-pack of Black Butte Porter and a bag of homemade deer and elk jerky can get you.

DK · 06-05-2001, 07:56 AM

hottamale1,just courious, what type of spraying do you need done,i've painted cars, for about 10yrs or better, i no longer am in that industry but have all the equipment along with a good compressor. i have sprayed just about every thing, and was wondering if there might be a opportunity to make a little money on the side, or would really like to do some river drift fishing, how many of you might be interested, i'm thinking of doing something a little more than just on the side licensed and insured of course just wondering what kind of demand there is

[ 06-05-2001: Message edited by: DK ]

Hottamale1 · 06-06-2001, 06:40 AM

DK,

If you know what you're doing....let's give it a try! Then we'll go fishing in the newly painted boat!!!! How's about side drifting on the Lewis for Summer Steelhead??? Now's the time!

I would like to paint the interior AND exterior. The interior would be that Zolatone stuff with a clear coat on top. The exterior would be just one color but I know that you need to "prep" the bare aluminum somehow. Not sure what they use to get all of the deep grime off...It's not dirty, just that dull aluminum finish.

Let me know!

Scott