| Back in the days when modern materials such as | | | | of the canoe may not be worth after all. |
| fiberglass were still in their development stage, | | | | There are many types of paint removal kits out |
| canoes were mostly made of wood and | | | | there in the market and these usually cost around |
| aluminum. Have you ever tried to paint on any | | | | 15 US dollars. |
| aluminum surfaces before? It's a mind-boggling job | | | | 3. Sand the canoe |
| since ordinary paints will not stick to aluminum. | | | | After the paint has been removed from the |
| This is the dilemma of thousands of people who | | | | canoe, it is time to sand it. This will ensure the |
| have inherited aluminum canoes. | | | | smoothness of the canoes surface which will play |
| Canoes are very handy to have. You can do lots | | | | an important role in the overall finish of the paint |
| of stuff with a canoe. You can do your weekly | | | | job. One can use a professional sanding tool or |
| fishing with it, you can take your date and watch | | | | perhaps if he has no budget for that or simply |
| the birds with it, you can even take photographs | | | | has some time to spend, he can do this manually. |
| with it, and of course, there's the usual | | | | 4. Apply the primer |
| Saturday-afternoon river cruise. It would also be | | | | There are different views on the type of primer |
| nice I the canoe you own is sleek-looking and has | | | | that should be applied to aluminum surfaces. |
| a nice glossy paint. However, painting an aluminum | | | | Perhaps the most recommended primer is a |
| boat is not an easy task, but it is a possible thing | | | | primer which contains a substance called |
| to do. | | | | chromate. There are available primers out there- |
| Here are some handy tips for those people who | | | | magnesium chromate or zinc chromate which can |
| would want to paint their aluminum canoes: | | | | be used for aluminum surfaces. Others would |
| 1. Make sure that you want to paint the aluminum | | | | prefer an aluminum oxide primer. Make sure that |
| canoe. | | | | you wear some kind of protection to avoid |
| There are aluminum canoes that don't need any | | | | inhaling these substances because these are very |
| kind of painting. These canoes were not made to | | | | dangerous to human health. Make sure that there |
| be painted in any way because the natural beauty | | | | is good ventilation in the painting area. |
| of the aluminum is the main foundation of its | | | | One can also apply a self etching primer (one coat |
| design. However, there are aluminum boats that | | | | is enough), then apply a couple of coats of epoxy |
| really need a good painting job. Some of these | | | | primer which can be purchased in any automobile |
| boats are originally painted and the paint has worn | | | | paint store. |
| off but if the aluminum is galvanized, there might | | | | 5. Apply finish |
| be no need to paint it. | | | | One can actually use automotive paint after the |
| 2. Remove all the remaining paint from the canoe | | | | primer has been applied. Make sure that the |
| Removing the paint from the aluminum canoe is a | | | | primer is properly applied because ordinary paints |
| must, just like what others would do when | | | | won't stick with aluminum. You can ask your local |
| painting old cars or other vehicles. Paint removal | | | | automotive paints dealer regarding the kind of |
| ensures that the surface is free of dirt and it will | | | | finish that you would want to give your canoe. |
| smoothen the surface once again. Paint removal is | | | | A nice canoe deserves a nice paint job. Aluminum |
| also necessary to be able to see if there is | | | | canoes can be made into colorful ones through |
| corrosion underneath the surface. Substantial | | | | the use of proper materials and the right |
| amounts of corrosion may suggest that the use | | | | methods. Enjoy painting your canoe! |