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Product Details

TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat creates a water-tight moisture barrier to protect aluminum hulls & pontoons from corrosion, fill small imperfections & ensure a solid foundation for antifouling paints or 1 & 2-part topside finishes.

This 2-part, high-build epoxy primer features anti-corrosive properties ideal for protecting underwater metals like lead, bronze, cast iron, stainless & aluminum. Its 3:1 mix ratio is easy to measure, mix & apply. Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat dries quickly and can be overcoated in as little as 3 hours at 90°F, with no sanding required.

Available in Gray (matte finish), in Quart and Gallon sizes.

Bonus: Each Gallon order includes a paint roller frame, 3/16 in. nap solvent-safe roller cover, metal tray, stir stick, paint suit w/hood, & 2-in. chip brush.

Tech Specs
Technical Specifications Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat
Number of Components 2
Mix Ratio by Volume 3:1 (3 parts base to 1 part curing agent)
Application Method Brush (natural bristle, solvent safe), roller (3/16'' nap or foam, solvent-safe roller cover), or spray (conventional, airless, or HVLP)
Application Temperature 50-95°F; 0-85% relative humidity
Induction Period 15 minutes (prior to reduction (optional) and application)
Pot Life 2.5 hrs @ 90°F, 5 hrs @ 70°F, 10 hrs @ 50°F
Number of Coats 2-3 (minimum); It's important to achieve a total of 8-12 mils DFT
Film Thickness Per Coat 4 mils dry (7 mils wet)
Coverage 225 sq. ft./gallon (at 7 mils wet, not accounting for waste
Recommended Brush For optimum results, use a high-quality brush with natural bristles
Recommended Roller Use a 3/8" nap solvent-resistant roller cover
Recommended for Surface Etching on Bare Aluminum TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Etch Wash (optional)
Reducer/Thinner TotalBoat Epoxy Primer Thinner 200
Surface Prep Solvent TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep
Cleanup TotalBoat Epoxy Primer Thinner 200 or TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep
Info & Guides

Why Should I Etch My Aluminum Boat Before Priming and Painting?

Getting primer or paint to stick to aluminum is very difficult, and it's a tedious process that typically entails sanding with very coarse sandpaper or blasting down to shiny, bright metal followed by priming with a specialty primer. The zinc chromate primers commonly used in the past are expensive, and less widely available now due to environmental restrictions. It's also not good for painting underwater metals, because zinc is the stuff of sacrificial anodes!

You can certainly still get excellent results with primer and paint, but the secret lies in etching the surface with the right product. Compare TotalBoat Aluminum Etch Wash to Alodine or Alumiprep 33. Our phosphoric acid-based etching wash is easy to use and works fast to create the toothed surface required for epoxy primer or paint to bond effectively and durably.

IMPORTANT: For best results coating aluminum, if using TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Etch Wash during surface prep, dry the surface completely and apply Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat within 1 hour after metal preparation.


Mixing Note: Combine base and activator components in a 3:1 ratio. If you want to mix the entire contents of both cans, just dump the can of curing agent into the can of base. There's enough room in the larger can to hold all the content of both components. Mix thoroughly, then induct for 15 minutes prior to reduction (if needed) and application.

Application Note: If applying antifouling paint over Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat epoxy primer, apply antifoulant while the primer is tacky to the touch. Do the thumbprint test—touch the barrier coat with your thumb. If the primer doesn't stick to your thumb, but you can make a thumbprint, you are within the overcoat window for applying antifouling paint. If you can't leave a thumbprint, you've missed the overcoat window. Sand with 80-grit sandpaper or apply another coat of Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat. Use the thumbprint method again before applying antifouling bottom paint.

Technical Information

Features

  • Creates a moisture-resistant protective barrier against corrosion on aluminum hulls, pontoons, and underwater metals.
  • High-build formula fills small imperfections.
  • Serves as an excellent tie coat that provides maximum adhesion for antifouling bottom paint or other 1-part and 2-part paints.
  • Easy to use, with a simple 3:1 mix ratio that ensures great results.
  • Dries quickly and can be overcoated in as little as three hours @ 90°F without the need for sanding.
  • Easy to apply by brush, roller, or spray equipment.
  • Comparable to other high-build marine epoxy barrier coatings.

Product Sizes, Color, and Finish

  • Size: Each Quart Kit includes 1 quart base component & ½ pint of curing agent
  • Size: Each Gallon Kit includes 3/4 gallon base component & 1 quart of curing agent
  • Color: Gray
  • Finish: Matte

Reviews for TotalBoat Aluminum Boat Barrier Coat Primer

10 of 21 Reviews

November 30, 2023

Worked out great
By Bugs from Tampa Fl

Verified Purchase

This barrier coat is outstanding. My only suggestion is to make sure you have an electric drill and a paint mixing paddle attachment. Without the mixer you will never get it mixed right. Forget stir sticks they won't work. It is very heavy until you get it mixed up. I used graduated paint cups to measure the cure to base at the 3 to 1 ratio. Don't guess at it. Do it right. Applied very smoothly (pontoon boat) with a 6" roller. I used a microfiber roller as that is what I had. I don't know if that is solvent resistant or not, but it didn't fall apart.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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August 8, 2023

Great product
By Dragster from Spokane, WA

Verified Purchase

I applied this product over bare, glass bead blasted, aluminum. I also used an etching cleaner just prior to application. I have a StarCraft SS 16 and the one gallon size provided me with 2 good coats. I did not have any problems with applying this product but next time I believe I'd use a 3/16" foam roller instead of the roller that comes in the kit as it kept depositing lint in the paint. Makes for a tough finish to an aluminum hull.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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June 7, 2023

Applied easily with short nap roller. Undercoat on aluminum
By John from Kilmarnock VA

Verified Purchase

Mixing by hand is difficult. Recommend small mixer in drill, or bent wire. With 1 quart can, Got 3 coats on bottom of 12' aluminum skiff, using 10% thinner. Dried in 2 hours at 75°. Ask me again in 5 years if it holds up

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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March 20, 2022

Loved it
By Dilincan from North County, San Diego

Verified Purchase

Went on really smooth. Did not drip. Dried quickly. I did 3 coats of this on the bottom half of my old pontoon boat.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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July 16, 2021

Good Job
By Skip from Mansfield Ohio

Verified Purchase

This turned out to be a very good experience for me. My boat turned out great!


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June 15, 2021

Pretty good I think
By Beerbug from Leesburg, FL

Verified Purchase

I've used the barrier coat for fiberglass boats. This seems the same to me. Works good, builds up quick. Gets super hard. I used it on a 32' pontoon boat. Had to use 2 gallons.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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June 3, 2021

Good stuff
By Tom from Chittenango ny

Verified Purchase

Did my boat bottom was leaking.not leaking now in water for 1 week

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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May 31, 2021

Excellent product
By Jim from Jersey shore

Verified Purchase

Aluminum boat bottom

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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May 31, 2021

Buy the Thinner Too!
By Capt. Fred from NE North Carolina

The quart I got was extremely thick after it was mixed. Also, the solvent in the paint evaporates so quickly that it is almost impossible to lay the product down smoothly. This was while painting in the shade on a 70 degree day. The can I got definitely needs to be thinned to make is useable. I've ordered the 200 thinner and will try it again, after I sand off most of what I've already put down. Ugggh. It does cover real well!

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend to a friend

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May 26, 2021

Does what it's supposed to
By Beerbug from Florida

Verified Purchase

Not quite as thick as the fiberglass boat type but ends up being the same

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

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