Freedom 225 2014 Engine Bracket Paint

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LoopyO

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Freedom 225
I have some small areas of failing paint on the aluminum engine bracket. Used grinding wheel to remove down to metal and then tried gelcoat repair which turned out to be a disaster. I wanted to sand or chip that repair product off and start over. First is I just would ask for help in the right product to use to touch up. I am not concerned with perfection , but some tips on a color match would be helpful too !!!
 
I found white Samurai primer in can and Armstrong Brackets supplied me with some matching paint. Sanded down to bare aluminum where it was peeling and masked for primer , removing masking tape after second primer spray ( 15 minute re coat time ) was easy. Used a little purdy brush with the top coat waited 24 hours between coats for that Grady paint. It looks great !!!!
 
Glad it looks good but will it hold up?

To a great extent that depends on how well the primer bonded to the bare aluminum. The typical approach is to apply an etching primer made for aluminum. I am not familiar with the Samauri product but it looks interesting and it says is is appropriate for aluminum.
Let us know how it holds up.
 
seasick said:
Glad it looks good but will it hold up?

To a great extent that depends on how well the primer bonded to the bare aluminum. The typical approach is to apply an etching primer made for aluminum. I am not familiar with the Samauri product but it looks interesting and it says is is appropriate for aluminum.
Let us know how it holds up.
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Will do. The primer seemed to adhere very nicely to the bare metal I did two coats of it lightly sanded top coat of primer after a good cure time before two coats of Grady paint. Next job is to wax the super structure, I got a nice smaller size Makita 18v polisher/sander Tips on avoiding disaster with the wax would be wonderful.
 
The biggest mistake you can make is to apply in direct hot sunlight. Follow the instructions. Also it is usually best to apply a dab of polish to the polisher bonnet and spread it around a bit as opposed to dabbing polish on the fiberglass first.
 
I refinished my complete tower, rocket launcher and enclosure awning rails Summer '22. All parts removed and sandblasted. It's all about the prep and materials. Edge seal important - that's where it will pop first.

Awlgrip etch primer, Awlgrip Primer and AwlGrip topcoat. Three Winters in FL and it looks new.

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jjack5150 said:
Etching primer, barrier coat, primer then gel coat. Done a number of aluminum boats and this works VERay well.
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That sounds good for fiberglass but I wouldn't go that route for aluminum. Aluminum has a higher temperature expansion factor and gel coat is pretty stiff stuff. In addition, I don't see a need for barrier coat. That prevents moisture from penetrating fiberglass but I don't think it helps for aluminum
 
seasick said:
That sounds good for fiberglass but I wouldn't go that route for aluminum. Aluminum has a higher temperature expansion factor and gel coat is pretty stiff stuff. In addition, I don't see a need for barrier coat. That prevents moisture from penetrating fiberglass but I don't think it helps for aluminum
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Hey there. I’m very sorry about that! Got into hurry up mode walking to a restaurant!! (Don’t text and walk). Was thinking about gel coats for some reason and meant paint. I’ve used Petit for somewhere around 20 (aluminum) boats in the last 35 years or so including 3 center consoles of my own. Ones that I’ve chopped, lengthened, welded on fittings and towers etc. was told by an ancient shipwright to make sure I used barrier coat. I’ve done it ever since and have had no performance issues.
 
For aluminum hulls, the barrier coat help protect against galvanic corrosion. I would recommend a barrier coat for aluminum applications just not gel coat.
 
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