Marine: Boating, Sailing, PWC, GPS and Navigation - Painting an aluminum jon boat

I recently purchased a 14 foot aluminum flat bottom jon boat. The boat is a little old (70's model), but it doesn't leak a drop and is in great condition. The boat has some old teal colored paint on it that is worn off in many places where you can see the bare aluminum. I want to paint this boat a dark green or possibly camouflage color. Can anyone give me some advice for a good looking/long lasting paint job? Thanks!!

Denver Mitchell

go to west marine and purchase eazy-pox. it is a one part urethane paint and i have used it on alum and fiberglass. once you paint it it appears to be sprayed on. use a high density roller available from home depot.

Might also try http://www.defender.com see what they have in paints there.

ED ;)

with painting aluminum is that more important than the paint, is to use the proper prep techniques.
You must follow the paint makers recommendations.
If you have a finish that is a bit ratty but is holding well, do not remove it as it will be well bonded and will likely be a good bond for a new finish.

Also, a sightly flat finish makes any imperfections less noticable.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

:thumbup: I recently did a nice camo paint job on a jon boat. Other responses are correct on useing correct preparation and paint for a good bond for the base. If you are interested in camo for hunting, stay pretty flat with paint. I cut some patterns of different types of leaves and marsh grasses, then painted over the boat with these pattens as I felt looked right, then switched to different patterns and colors. Worked out real nice and is easy to touch up as well