Aluminum Window Refinishing ideas?

[templerj]

Hello.
So now that I am starting to get into the boat that I just got, I am noticing that the window frames, which appear to be aluminum, are very oxidized/pitted?? (I assume from being out on the water and not protected).

I'm wondering if anyone knows what I can do to restore the appearance of the aluminum? Can you sand it? Is there a rubbing compound that will clean them up? Any suggestions?

I will try to attach a picture of the aluminum in its current condition........ any info is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[fwebster]

There is only one real fix, and its time consuming and expensive.

You need to strip any paint or powder coating on the frames. Next, sand and/or scrape off the corrosion...and it ALL has to come off. Then, you need to acid etch the aluminum and sand them for priming. Next, lightly prime with zinc chromate primer, then scuff the primer with a sanding pad and prime the frames with an epoxy primer. Now you can fill the holes and rough spots caused by pitting. Be careful not to sand thru the primer. Now you are ready to paint. Prepare and repaint the frames with a 2 part urethane paint like Imron or Awl Grip by following the paint manufacturer's instructions for priming and mixing.

Some folks say you can have the frames re-powdercoated, but unless you remove the corrorion and acid etch the frames, nothing will stick to them long term.

Good luck with it..............

 

[Pietro]

That's what I am going to do... :smt100 ...well, somebody will do it for me, but I was told this is exactly the way to go.

templerj, you will also have to change all the trimming and gaskets. Taylor will supply them.

I understand you are as crazy as I am...so you may find some interest in my restoration :wink:http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25740

 

[Donovan01]

There are aluminum cleaners. Try searching in the right source. By using the right tools, you can improve your efficiency. you can use a damp cloth or sponge with a mild detergent. Use cold or warm water.

 

[Spookeay]

There are aluminum cleaners. Try searching in the right source. By using the right tools, you can improve your efficiency. you can use a damp cloth or sponge with a mild detergent. Use cold or warm water.

Most of these frames are at the least clear coated from SeaRay.

fwebster is right. You have got to take them down no mater what. If you just want to polish the raw aluminium or re paint/Powder coat em,,,,,,,,,,,,,, it's got to all come off. Sorry.:huh:

 

[velooce]

There is only one real fix, and its time consuming and expensive.

You need to strip any paint or powder coating on the frames. Next, sand and/or scrape off the corrosion...and it ALL has to come off. Then, you need to acid etch the aluminum and sand them for priming. Next, lightly prime with zinc chromate primer, then scuff the primer with a sanding pad and prime the frames with an epoxy primer. Now you can fill the holes and rough spots caused by pitting. Be careful not to sand thru the primer. Now you are ready to paint. Prepare and repaint the frames with a 2 part urethane paint like Imron or Awl Grip by following the paint manufacturer's instructions for priming and mixing.

Some folks say you can have the frames re-powdercoated, but unless you remove the corrorion and acid etch the frames, nothing will stick to them long term.

Good luck with it..............

I agree with the others, it is all about the prep work. Another choice is to anodize the frames and clear coat.

 

[fwebster]

The frames in the photo show severe pitting due to corrosion. Sorry, but annodizing isn't going to help the appearance or add to the longevity. If you catch this kind of stuff early, you can restore them on the boat, but protecting the fiberglass and masking off everything else in sight becomes a big part of the job.

Catch a sober auto body guy who is out of work and buy the materials and rent him a compressor and it might not be as big a job as if you try it yourself.

 

[jimdavi]

I have the aluminum window frames and keep a coat of wax on them to prevent pitting.

 

[Dasch Boat]

On my 88 WE the frames started to lose the coating after the first season. SR did a very poor job of sealing the finish after the snaps were installed for the canvas. I unscrewed all of them and used marine silicone to rebed the snaps but the damage was done and only got worse over the following years.

 

[tobnpr]

Snaps are always an issue. Has nothing to do with Sea Ray, aluminum and stainless steel together is always a problem...

Best thing to do is to use something to isolate the metals- removing the snaps and using Tef-Gel on them will help eliminate the problem.

 

[ChrisJA]

I have a Sea Ray 1987 300 Sedan Bridge. About 12 months ago I had a fire in the fore cabin, the blinds were burnt and I had to throw away. The window frames and screens have scorch marks. Has anyone in the forum got some ideas on how to refurbish/clean or do I have to do it the hard way as suggested by by fwebster?

I attach a photograph taken directly after the fire. I have replaced all of the vinyl and cleaned the frames with soap and water as well as the Household Cleaner 409. But is still needs a lot more cleaning

I would appreciate any ideas.

 

[DON SIMMONDS]

What I did with mine was started out with 180 grit sand paper and worked my way up to 1000 grit. and then sealed them with clear aluminum protector. Worked great.

 

[SCORPIO]

I was wondering about having mine glass beaded, etched, primed and repowder coated. Does that sound possible?

 

[steveadil]

How big a job is it to remove the windshield and frames and separate the frames from the glass? I can see a ton of corrosion where the frames meet the glass so I doubt restoration in place is a good long term fix...