How Do You Paint Aluminum Pontoons In A Salt Water Environment?
Aluminum–light-weight and durable–is a choice material in boat building. When using an aluminum-based boat in saltwater, you need to provide a barrier between the surface of the aluminum and the saltwater to eliminate the effects of corrosion. Antifouling paints provide adequate protection for your aluminum-based pontoon boat, but you must ensure that the antifouling paint adheres well to the surface of the aluminum; even a small amount of exposed aluminum will start the corroding process. Liberally apply degreasing solvent to a clean rag and wipe down the surface of each aluminum pontoon. Attach a 60-grit sanding disc to the disc-grinder and put on your safety glasses. Sand the entire surface of the aluminum pontoon to a “white” finish with the disc-sander to ensure that you will have an adequate bonding surface for the approved primer on new aluminum. If the aluminum pontoons are painted, you only need to ensure that the paint is not loose or peeling from the surface of the pontoon
