Restoring an Aluminum Boat

[fallen1817]

Hey Everyone,

I've been thinking as a winter project (Planning waaaay ahead here) that I should restore the Tinner that I have hanging on the wall in my garage. It's a 12 ft Aluminum Boat. Pretty beat up wooden seats, but NO LEAKS!! :sHa_shakeshout:

I am thinking of replacing the wood seats (all wood, for that matter), and painting the bottom of the boat. What paint would be best for this? Rustoleum type paint? I like the rubberized feel, so it doesn't get really slippery when it is wet.

Would it be worth my time to paint the outside of the boat too? It is currently the aluminum grey. Would it be worth it, or is it just going to scratch up and look sloppy?

What else would you recommend I do with this boat? It doesn't have any rod holders, etc, so I am also planning on that. I will be using this boat for small lakes (Phyllis, Struble etc) until I am a bit more comfortable doing the fishing/driving multitasking thing.

Thanks for any advice/tips,

Jeff

[The Fisherman Guy]

Have you heard of Wetlander (http://airboatcoatings.com/)?

Having heard of it, a friend of mine restored his very first boat - a tinner given to him 30 years ago by his uncle, and coated the bottom of of it with Wetlander. Having seen it myself, I am sold. ANY BOAT can benefit from this product.

This stuff is amazing. Reduces the friction coefficient substantially, and increases the durability of the bottom against impact. Makes your boat faster too!

He did his 12ft for just under $200 and had some left over.

Check out the videos of this stuff, It feels like touching oiled glass - but doesn't leave a residue.

When I upgrade my current 14ft Jon to a 16, the first custom work will be applying Wetlander.

[Mayhem]

If you have some pictures of the interior that might get some ideas going.

[diamonddave]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=222758

Check this thread out.

[Sundancefisher]

I believe lake sundance is planning to sell some 12 foot older Lunds. Thick aluminum...no leaks but has wear.

Curious how one would fix them also.

[archercurt]

We just did a buddy's boat a while ago, most places that sell aluminum horse trailers (Allan dale in red deer for example), sells aluminum acidizer, accu brite or alumamaze. About 30$ for 4 litres, mix it 60/40 with water and spray it on your clean boat, let sit for 10 minutes and wash it off. Do this a couple times inside and out and it will bring it back to a new looking boat. Paint the top stripe your chosen colour and the inside too. Rubber matting or interlocking kids play mats work well between the seats on the floor for grip and to dampen the sound. Word to the wise about this product though, don't do it on your lawn or nice paved driveway, will kill grass and could be hard on ashphalt.

[sirmike68]

Or buff the aluminum until it shines like a mirror and coat it with "Sharkshide".

[bloopbloob]

I've done 4 aluminum boat restorations now. I should have taken better pictures of the process of doing them. Definitely a lot of work, but I enjoy it. Here are some pics of the latest, a 14' Lund I did last summer.

http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/bloopbloob/media/IMG_1223_zps962f1ed5.jpg.html?filters[user]=118680636&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1152_zps18e4b126.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1223_zps962f1ed5.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1154_zpsd1d117e3.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1265_zps4d7d9de9.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1264_zps43781e49.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1320_zpsf7391064.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1322_zpse88fa221.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/IMG_1321_zps394c1fa7.jpg

[bloopbloob]

Here's the second one I did, don't have any before pics, but it was rough!
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/boatside2.jpg
http://i1183.photobucket.com/albums/x462/bloopbloob/boatrear.jpg