Ask for permission or beg for forgiveness this is a multi-part starcraft aluminum boat restoration project. part 4 centers on aluminum boat paint stripping - taking the paint off the side of the boat.. With the headache we thought the task of removing the paint would be, the whole process turned out to be much easier, cheaper, and even quicker than we thought. 2 gallons and 2 quarts later and we have a bare metal boat.. From my reading, it seems that there's a lot of science to properly removing paint from aluminum and prepping the surface for a new coat, and while i want to do a good job, i don't want to make this my life's work; this is a fishing boat, not the ceiling of the sistine chapel..
Regarding leaking rivets on alum boats.. west system makes a special flexible epoxy for alum boats and rivet repairs. they have a good how to video as well as detailed how to-s on this product. i have not used it myself but will be shortly. g flex 650 epoxy. hope this helps.. Re: besy way to remove paint from aluminum jon boat phatmanmike, yep the 4" angle grinder with a stiff wire wheel will do just fine. i just did my boat down to the bare shiny aluminum and repainted it with duralux, aluminum boat green.. An aluminum boat can be restored and protected for years to come with a solid paint job. mount the boat on two sawhorses. inspect the hull of the boat for signs of damage and rust..
