Sandblasting aluminum boat

[Mudcreek]

I am a new member, and thanks for letting me join.

What is the best medium for blasting a 1972 monarch jon boat. I'm about to totally rejuvenate it.

 

[DaleH]

I'd start by giving more details ... only removing any loose paint or trying to remove ALL evidence of any prior paint to get to bare? Guys here we see bringing to bare tin use wire brushes, white vinegar and PLENTY of elbow grease, even if/when chemicals or paint strippers are used.

I would think I'd soda blast it, but again - depends on YOUR final product desire. But I once saw a tin hull (not me) ruined by sand blasting, and whatever grit it was, it was far too aggressive ... as the hull looked like sandpaper when done!

 

[MrGiggles]

I would want to use something milder like walnut shells or fine glass beads, soda may also work okay.

Black beauty or coal slag is very abrasive and will likely lead to a rough dull finish that will take even more work to be paint worthy.

Wear a good respirator and you'll need a large compressor to get anywhere. Most choose a different method because of the expense, hassle, and mess with blasting.

 

[CedarRiverScooter]

Be careful, you can dent it with the air pressure.

 

[maintenanceguy]

If the base coat is intact, leave it and paint over it. It's hard to get paint to stick well to aluminum. If the factory paint is sticking well, it's easier to get new paint to stick to the old paint than to stick to the aluminum under the old paint.