Restoring a Boat: Flooring Material + Paint

Demonical

Demonical

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I know this isn't exactly the best forum for this topic but none of the other forums seem like they would be any better. I know there's also lots of guys on here that are also into fishing and might have some advice I can use.


I have a 1991 Lund aluminum boat that I am restoring.


First Part: Flooring
I removed the old plywood flooring and carpet and have had the floor replaced with aluminum plate. Now I want to put some kind of finish on the aluminum, to make the floor a bit softer, less slippery, and something that will finish off the look, enhance the look of the boat.

I am considering getting a spray-in type truck bedliner, and having it dyed dark grey. Anybody have any experience with this, that might be able to give objective advice?
There's an outfit in town that sprays Armorthane linings.

There is also material I have seen at Barry J's Marine, that comes in rolls and it can be laid down. It's kind of a rubberized carpet type material. I do not understand just how it is applied, whether it is glued on or what. I'm wondering if anybody can comment on it?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.


Second Part: Paint
The paint on my old boat is blistering and scratched from rubbing on docks and general old age. What's the best way to remove the old paint?

I kinda have the idea that I'd like to leave the boat, bare aluminum, unless somebody knows why that's a bad idea... :confused:
 
-bedliners are slippery if you really want non slip just buy a few rolls of 2" grip tape, or if you want the whole floor done paint whatever color you like and while it is still dry sprinkle some (clean) sand on the wet paint then apply a couple cost over top the sand once the paint has dried.

paint stripper to remove the old paint. then what you have to do to the aluminum depends on how you want it to look. and whatever you do don't use anything but stainless steel brushes and brand new abrasives on it. reason being you don't want to embed any steel particles in the aluminum because they will rust

how i would do it is to strip the paint, sand the remaining paint off up to a 220 grit then use red 3M scotch brite pads and buff it by hand. if thats too coarse step up to the blue ones for a finer polish. the pads work best when soaking wet.
any smoother than that and your getting into needing a power polisher
 
FYI, I'm at work so I cannot post pics right now.


So what kind of paint stripper? Do I need a special product? Where to buy, Cdn Tire, Home Hardware?

Is there anything that needs to be done to the aluminum, if I decide to leave it with a bare, unfinished look? I had a guy suggest that it will oxidize, turn chalky grey or something if left unfinished.
 
Go to the guy that sprays the Armorthane. Guaranteed he's got it in his truck. Take a 5 gallon bucket of water (maybe even soapy to give it a real test) and slosh it in the back, then get in and see if you fall on your backside. If it's slippery, go to plan B. If it still grips reasonably well (as I think it will over diamond plate) then back the boat into his shop.

If you leave the aluminum uncoated it will turn chalky and discolor to a matte grey (looks like sh*t - my toolbox in my truck is that way and it drives me mad). You can always buff it up again with a metal polish like Flitz.
 
I would suggest putting down marine type carpet or astroturf on your floor for a couple of reasons. Aluminum boats are loud. The carpet will deaden any noise you make by moving, dropping pliers and even waves splashing against the hull will be absorbed somewhat by the soft material. It's also going to prevent the floor from becoming slippery even if it gets coated with mud unlike traction tape. As for the bedliner stuff, I'm currently considering using it on one of my boats but not the floor. I want to coat the upper gunwales and top deck on the bow with it. (I just want it to be tougher, it's a glass boat) When I looked at getting tinted rattlecans I was told you can't. You'd have to deal with a real applicator and have him color it how you want.

I would also suggest painting your boat as I've seen some that take on a galvanized, patchy look. Removing the old stuff doesn't have to be difficult. You can remove all of it with either stripper or a wire wheel or if it's just some that's coming off, remove the loose stuff with a brush, feather the edges with sand paper, scuff, prime and paint. You may need a special primer that bonds to aluminum, look into that first.
 
I would suggest you go to the iboats forum website. They have a specific section on boat restoration. This is the site for anything marine/boat related. The knowledge available on there is staggering. I have gone there regularly for years and have yet to be disappointed. I'm kind of a Mr. Fixit of everything and these guys will not steer you wrong.


http://forums.iboats.com/
 
Woodsman said:
I would suggest you go to the iboats forum website. They have a specific section on boat restoration. This is the site for anything marine/boat related. The knowledge available on there is staggering. I have gone there regularly for years and have yet to be disappointed. I'm kind of a Mr. Fixit of everything and these guys will not steer you wrong.


http://forums.iboats.com/
Click to expand...


^ Done. I am 'over there' now with this thread. :)
 
Ask the boat people about a chemical or mechanical stripping method.


Do not use a heat gun to strip paint from sheet metal. (Do not ask me why I know not to use a heat gun. :redface:)
 
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