What are the best tips for repairing aluminium boats (aluminium boat repair methods)

What are the best tips for repairing aluminium boats (aluminium boat repair methods)

Specialist welding or brazing of the area to be repaired is usually the best option. Most methods when repairing aluminium boats require welding or fibreglassing of the area to be repaired. While both methods are acceptable when repairing aluminium boats, the purpose of the repair often dictates the method used. For a durable, lasting and powerful repair to a damaged hull, welding is often considered the best and most appropriate method of carrying out the repair. If the required repair is simply to eliminate a slow leak in a riveted joint, fibreglass is usually considered the best method for repairing aluminium boats. However, if the reason for repairing an aluminium boat is to complete the restoration, then welding, sanding and polishing will provide the most traditional and original appearance once the repair is complete.

Whatever method is used to repair an aluminium boat, the most important factor is to clean the repair area thoroughly before attempting any repair work. Using a weak acid to remove any oxidation from the aluminium and sanding the damaged area to ensure that a solid material is being worked on is the number one tip for repairing aluminium boats. Attempting to place glass fibre on unclean aluminium will result in the glass fibre flaking off the aluminium in a very short time. Welding on dirty aluminium will result in a contaminated weld that will oxidise and actually eat itself up, leaving several small holes in the repaired area.

A trick that can actually save a repairer's life is to use a respirator when welding on aluminium. Aluminium produces toxic fumes when welded and repairing aluminium boats is a very dangerous practice if proper precautions are not taken. A good tip for the repair of very thin aluminium is to use a torch and braze the repair rather than welding it. The brazing process will use less heat and will not damage the surrounding metal. In some cases, soldering can result in a larger hole in the boat than the initial repair required.

The priority in the list of tips for repairing aluminium boats is to take your time rather than rush the repair. If rushed, repairs can actually ruin an aluminium boat. For example, if repairing a crack in the hull, it is advisable to drill a small hole at each end of the crack, which can then be welded shut. When repairing aluminium boats, failure to carry out this additional step of drilling the cracked end usually results in the crack spreading directly into the welded area.