Painting Aluminum vs powder coating

[Carlson150XS]

Want to paint or powder coat my pontoon boat railings.
Can I get away with painting them?

Thanks

[Frank Molé]

sure just use good paint :thumbsup:

[ghost28]

paint is better in my opinion for one reason...scratch it, chip it or get a little corrosion under it and you can easily sand it and do a spot repair...with powder coating its time to remove, strip and re coat.....

My Opinion......

[benski]

I would also use a good paint for the application rather than powder coating it. Talk to your local marine paint salesperson, they'll be able to set you on the right course..:thumbsup:

[Image 21]

:iagree: use a good paint ,powder coat chips ,oh boy what a mess

[Vectorized]

I learned real quick on aluminum to use a good self etching primer for good adhesion:thumbsup:

[Dave Strong]

Was told the 400 deg baking of the powder coat tends to weaken the aluminum, worse on thinner pieces.
Dave

[Dargo]

You must use a self-etching primer on aluminum! The paint will not stick for long if you don't.

[XstreamVking]

Used a lot of the dupont vari-prime, never had a problem with it. Cover it with epoxy primer. Or shoot paint rite over it...

[delawarerick]

You must use a self-etching primer on aluminum! The paint will not stick for long if you don't.
Can't you prep wash with vinegar and etch alunium? Rick

[Liberator*21]

Was told the 400 deg baking of the powder coat tends to weaken the aluminum, worse on thinner pieces.
Dave


That's correct, it takes the temper out of it.

[blazer01]

I have a flat bottom aluminum boat that I had powder coated ( I love it) sure it will chip if you r gonna be rough on it however I run in the river been up on a couple gravel bars and still yet to have it chipped... As far as weaking the aluminum i don't see it happening unless it is a very thin gauge aluminum heck my boat was in a 475 degree oven for over an hour...( if there was a weak point r stress point I would have known) it has a 1988 200 mercury on it and haven't had any issues

[Skater 32]

As the owner of a small powdercoating operation , paint it , easy touch up and if not prepped as in blasting , PC will come off . Powdercoat is reall meant for production parts like brackets because you simply wash the part then PC then ship .

[blazer01]

however they do make a touch up paint that you can apply if there is any damage for me it has worked well