Paint for aluminum windshield frame - The Hull Truth

JAGSARE1 · 06-30-2003, 06:29 PM

Cosmetically, the worst thing on my boat is the aluminum windshield. Fine structurally but a little ugly. I heard there was a new type of paint that is brushable and gives very good results on aluminum windshield frames. My plan would be to remove all trim, sand and prep the frame appropriately and then brush on this new paint...if it is as good as promised. Anybody heard of this stuff? Who makes it? Other ideas? Thanks.

FOR SAIL
A 27' Tiara Express...for now

tidester · 06-30-2003, 06:51 PM

When I restored my old 1971 Sportcraft, I painted the aluminum with a spray bomb of appliance epoxy. It actually held up very well and with an occasional coat of wax, it shined up real nice and kept the luster for the 6 years I had it.

With my current project, I am probably going with Interlux 404/414 epoxy primer, then Interthane plus 2 part poly. I'll do the aluminum frame, rub rail, etc when I do the topsides. The stuff is just as hard as epoxy, and I can control the application with a toss away foam brush or two.

BluesFan · 06-30-2003, 08:08 PM

Consider getting it powder coated?

JAGSARE1 · 07-01-2003, 09:52 AM

Thanks for both suggestions. Tidester had the information I was looking for. I am trying to keep from removing the windshield from the boat for many reasons. I did consider powder coating and have a place where I can probably have it done for nothing but I have seen the results of powder coat deterioration and it is very ugly and almost impossible to correct. Thanks again.

FOR SAIL
A 27' Tiara Express...for now

CMP · 07-01-2003, 09:57 AM

If you saw powder coating degrading, it's because the coater didn't know what he/she was doing. I own a powder coating plant and if you use TGIC polyester or Urethane coatings, they withstand the element far better for far longer than any other coating. I have powder coated components on my boat and others that are over 10 years old and look as good as new. Don't let one dummy's mistake sour you on the process. BTW, Hatt, Blackfin and other top end boats, as well as BMW, Mercedes, etc all use powder coating...

CMP

gw204 · 07-01-2003, 10:46 AM

Powder coat it!!!! CMP is exactly right. When done properly, powder coating will far outlast painting.

http://userpages.umbc.edu/~bmille4/sirreel/index.html

Hawkeye · 07-01-2003, 12:21 PM

The problem is te aluminum continuing to corrode under the paint or powercoating. Youy have to stop that corrozion dead in its tracks b4 any of it will work. I hear a zink cormate primer works pretty good for thisbut never tried it. I am in the same boat with a 32 year old aluminum frame that looks like crap. Mostly where the ss snap fasteners were.

Hawkeye

tidester · 07-01-2003, 03:45 PM

Does the heat required to melt / cure the powder cause any loss of temper / strength of the aluminum? We powdercoat at work and cure at 400 degrees F with the polyester based stuff we apply to carbon steel. I've been tempted to coat some items, but concerns over the heat has prevented me from doing "government jobs" after hours at the plant!

dry doc · 07-02-2003, 02:04 PM

definitely remove the windshield from the boat
over next winter and repaint in your garage with
interlux system...follow directions for an alum
hull....the other option is to send it for anod-
zing done professionally...i have had and cont-
nue to see bad outcomes with powder coating and
i am down on it...once it gets a nick, it is a
goner...the paint can be patched up on a spot
basis, which is why i prefer it...it is cheaper
than powder or anodizing, but it labor intensive
...that makes it perfect for diy over a long
winter in your shop. dan