I'm hoping someone can answer a general question. I bought one of the TMT boats from the bankruptcy auction that was unfinished, I'm finished with the fabrication process and want to paint it. I've heard you want to clean the boat with something that etches the Aluminum prior to using the the etching primer? I've been unable to find much about this but I thought someone on here would know? I found a thread about using Muratic acid but that was it, anyone do this and if so I assume you dilute it out.

Can someone share the best product or process you use to clean and etch a new boat prior to painting them? Also interested in the best primer out there and where to get it.

Thanks

use allumibrite at ratio of 1 to 1 with water also works better if hot, make sure you do not let it dry and wash off with lots of water, or it will leave a white film which is not good, then let dry and shot aluminum etching primer then paint try to make sure you get the primer that doesn't need to be sanded after cure its a pain.

Almost forgot it is hydrocloric acid not muratic thats for cement.

I did mine myself. The paint store which has been helping guys paint their boats for many years recommended Aluminum brightener which has hyrdroflouric acid to clean. It will foam and is strong so you need to be careful. You can brush it with an extension brush or spray it with a garden sprayer, like said above wash it off before it dries.

They also recommended yellow zinc cromate as an aluminum primer. I have had great adhesion and no peeling or flaking. Also, the amount of prep you put into it gets better results. Most people don't want to do it, but some method of light sanding or scratching the surface before the brightener and priming will promote better adhesion.

Or you can use muriatic acid to do the same thing. It can be found at Home Depot or Lowes etc in the garden department usually. I just used it full strength in a garden sprayer. Do it in a safe area outside. It will kill your grass.

don't use hydrofluoric acid

Ok I have seen several things that say muratic acid is fine just dilute it,wash it off, over and over and don't breath it. -Then I have also seen the opposite and that says phoshoric acid is the one you should get. It appears that most. Products use phosphoric (sp?) -I'm far from a chemical engineer so I don't know. I think I'm going to go with the Aluma brite then a good primer. Thanks

POKER can you use the muriatic for a boat that has paint on it too or is that just for bare aluminum? i may repaint my rig. i didn't prep good enough last time i guess and i have some peeling/flaking taking place.........damn