Fish Finder Mount

[TNriverCAT]

Good evening,

I had a local shop weld up an aluminum fixture to put on my boat. Will be used to secure ram mounts for two fish finders. My question is how would you paint this aluminum fixture? Don't believe it is anodized.. would that be an issue? I only fish in fresh water, so brackish or salt water environments are not of concern.

My plan is to sand the piece down with 180, and 220 grit paper. Next, clean with acetone and degreaser. Then paint with rust-oleum "stops rust" spray paint, or self etching primer. Is my thinking correct on best way to paint this? Want it to look good, but most importantly last.

TIA

 

[Bantou]

Unless you a worried about looks, you don't need to paint aluminum. It is self protecting and doesn't rot away like iron or steel. It will create a thin, air tight aluminum oxide layer that prevents the oxidation process from going any further unless damaged. If you do scratch it up, it just forms another layer over the damaged area.

 

[TNriverCAT]

Unless you a worried about looks, you don't need to paint aluminum. It is self protecting and doesn't rot away like iron or steel. It will create a thin, air tight aluminum oxide layer that prevents the oxidation process from going any further unless damaged. If you do scratch it up, it just forms another layer over the damaged area.

I appreciate your response. Doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing, but would like the aluminum to be painted. Not thrilled of the idea of bare aluminum reflecting sunlight all day while on the boat.

 

[old_fart]

"dull dead grass" rattle can???

 

[TNriverCAT]

Ended up cleaning with acetone. Hit it with 180 sand paper, then cleaned again with acetone and tack cloth. Applied rustoleum self etching primer, two coats. Will check it tonight after work. May add a top coat of rustoleum speciality camouflage army green. My boat is difficult to match exactly. As the original paint seems to have some brown shade to the green, also it’s 12 years old so it’s dulled over time.