Aluminum boat - painting with laquer

[Alik]

Need to paint aluminum boat, but would prefer a kind of transparent paint or laquer, so can see the metal. Just wonder if there is something available on the market. Thanks!

[USCGRET/E8]

To get it to stick, it would mostly have to be a two part paint like for aircraft.

yes devoe make one, there are a few around, this one lasts a very long time, write to www.bladerunnerboats.co.nz
The method is this, sand it hard with 100 grit in an orbital sander, then acid wash, fast foaming, then let dry and apply the stuff, looks great
Another thing you can do is after the wash put aladyne on applied by plastic garden spray, stops oxide and looks bronzy, used on all mine and also on aircraft prepaint

[USCGRET/E8]

If you want to easily brighten things up, try some Alumabrite

Originally Posted by Alik;

Need to paint aluminum boat, but would prefer a kind of transparent paint or laquer, so can see the metal. Just wonder if there is something available on the market. Thanks!

by the way Alec, that is a very very nice entry on this boat, who designed lines and where was she built, you can see by my galllery that I specialise in the medum, so I'm interested

[Alik]

Designed by us, built by BPMarine (Thailand).

[Alik]

I have put some info on the boat here:
http://www.amdesign.co.th/design_xp980.htm

yes her bottom is identical to how I do mine, but the two topside panels are hansome indeed, I just put a D6 in one of mine in NZ, THE 310 VERSION
I,m glad you don't use strakes, which really harden the ride
i use 400 deep girdars full length ex in E/R 600 apart with fully welded foors 600 spaced, and 6mm bottom, I gave 5 years warranty on the hull and they have all run out without a call back, it's very rough off the NZ coast

[messabout]

I have had good results form DuPont Imron over bare aluminum. That is a two part automotive paint that is very durable. Apparently all two part urethanes are not equal. The DuPont stuff is expensive, it resists attack from some chemicals very well. I can not vouch for its' ability to withstand salt air and water. Resistance to UV degradation is good. Availability in Thailand may be problematic.