Aluminum bracket different bottom paint?

[Jamato14]

Might be a silly question, and not something I thought of when I bought the boat since I boat it as a trailer boat but using it 3-6 days a week from April-Nov isn’t fun launching/retrieving when half that times alone. Boat has an aluminum Armstrong flotation bracket and I keep it on a mooring. I put it on a mooring mid way through last season and bottom paint from previous owner was in decent shape so didn’t do any painting. After pressure washing/sanding when I pulled it I need to paint the bottom this year. Can I use the same paint on the bracket as the hull? Have heard/read mixed things and first time doing it so want to make sure I don’t do anything to ruin the bracket. TIA for any info

 

[jweir]

I was in the same situation as you last year. My bracket base finish was good so galvanic action of copper paint on aluminum probably wouldn’t be a problem, but I had some left over bottom paint from an aluminum skiff that was copper free so I used that on the bracket. I have fresh zincs on it so maybe I’m overthinking it. I did note more growth and some barnacles on that paint vs the petit vivid ablative I have on the rest of the hull.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

Might be a silly question, and not something I thought of when I bought the boat since I boat it as a trailer boat but using it 3-6 days a week from April-Nov isn’t fun launching/retrieving when half that times alone. Boat has an aluminum Armstrong flotation bracket and I keep it on a mooring. I put it on a mooring mid way through last season and bottom paint from previous owner was in decent shape so didn’t do any painting. After pressure washing/sanding when I pulled it I need to paint the bottom this year. Can I use the same paint on the bracket as the hull? Have heard/read mixed things and first time doing it so want to make sure I don’t do anything to ruin the bracket. TIA for any info

I would use a bottom paint made for Aluminum, something without copper. You might have a good base on there, but why take the chance when you already know it isn't a great idea. I can tell you, replacing aluminum on a boat isn't fun.

 

[Captlvb]

Here is what I did about 17 years ago and it has held up well.

1. Stripped the bracket to bare aluminum. Sanded it down with 80 grit.
2. Petit tie coat primer - 6627
3. Overcoat with Interlux Trilux 1st coat red paint, 2nd and 3rd coats your matching color to the hull. Idea here is whe I see red I overcoat with fresh ablative paint.

Has held up very well except for the one time cooper based paint was used (not me )

 

[Jamato14]

Thanks all for the information, picked up some regular bottom paint for the hull and aluminum paint for the bracket today, appreciate the information

 

[Genius]

pacifica plus had given me better performance than Trilux. IMO, the whole boat should be painted in the copper free paint. I know some of the outdrive manufactures recommend a stand off of a certain distance. But, that sounds like too much work, just pain the whole bottom in compatible paint.

 

[Jamato14]

pacifica plus had given me better performance than Trilux. IMO, the whole boat should be painted in the copper free paint. I know some of the outdrive manufactures recommend a stand off of a certain distance. But, that sounds like too much work, just pain the whole bottom in compatible paint.

That’s interesting, I haven’t heard that yet but mines an outboard on a bracket so not sure if that makes a difference. I won’t be cracking the paint cans until next weekend so will continue to research and exchange as needed. Thanks for the information, glad I asked I like hearing as much info as I can

 

[south shore]

pacifica plus had given me better performance than Trilux. IMO, the whole boat should be painted in the copper free paint. I know some of the outdrive manufactures recommend a stand off of a certain distance. But, that sounds like too much work, just pain the whole bottom in compatible paint.

1 inch tape line from bracket or engine to bottom paintsides and bottom
Just leave gelcoat surface an wax it like the hull or use copper free in that area also.

 

[tunaorlater]

Most water based bottom paints are good on metals now.