Painting the exterior on an aluminium boat.

[fredrussell]

I’ve always had a thing for Ovni aluminium boats. I was looking at an Ovni for sale ad recently where the boat had some paint flaking on the deck. How easy (or otherwise) would repainting an aluminium boat be? I’ve never had a lot of luck painting aluminium in a non-marine environment - am I right to assume that painting aluminium in/for the marine environment would add to the challenge?

 

[Arcady]

It takes some careful preparation. Why not go au naturel??

 

[rogerthebodger]

Aluminium boats don't need painting for protection and the deck only needs an anti slip coating

 

[Sandy]

I thought Ovni's had GRP decks, but it has been some time since I was last on one.

 

[fredrussell]

Aluminium boats don't need painting for protection and the deck only needs an anti slip coating

Indeed- and that was what was flaking off on the boat that I was looking at. I’ll post a pic of it tomorrow.

 

[fredrussell]

I thought Ovni's had GRP decks, but it has been some time since I was last on one.

Hmm, got me there. I have always assumed they have alu decks…

 

[Tranona]

Hmm, got me there. I have always assumed they have alu decks…

You are right, most of the earlier ones were all aluminium with welded on fittings and painted decks. I think some of the later bigger ones had GRP decks. Yes, the paint inevitably gets damaged and worn and is difficult to repaint. There was a long thread here a couple of years ago from an Ovni owner who had a long battle with a well known yard over getting the repainting of his boat right.