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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Frustrated aluminum boat owner needs help with paint problems

Help...I purchased a new Legend Xcalabur 17ft aluminum fishing boat. T he paint came off after a few weeks in the water. For the last 2 years the manufacturer has repainted the hull from the water line down with the same results. The paint comes off after about a week right down to the raw aluminum. The manufacturer now informs me paint is not covered under their new boat warranty. Why will the paint not stick to the hull.....thanks in advance.

Jim Ewles
- Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
2007

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It sounds like the manufacturer did something to the aluminum to prevent corrosion that is not allowing the paint to stick and is probably afraid to be aggressive with the repaint(like sanding the al. surface) because then you WILL have a boat that is deteriorating prematurely. Paint coming off isn't typically considered deterioration, a hull that is pitting and oxidizing is considered deterioration. The fact that they have repainted this for you in the past is an admission that they know there is a problem so you might try taking them to small claims court and getting your money back. If the paint was covered under warranty when you bought the boat, it's covered until the warranty period runs out, not until they decide their tired of repainting it for you.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2007