Re-painting of aluminum windshield on 1998 370 AC

[eqquus1]

We just purchased our dreamboat 1998 370 AC (Photos to follow) and are itching to get started with spring commissioning. The aluminum surrounding the windshield has chipped off and needs re-painting. Has anyone done the job themselves and if so, do you have any suggestions?
Thanks........

 

[88dancer300]

I did mine. You need to strip the frame to bare alluminum everywhere it is flaking. You then need to clean it with acetone or laquer thinner, then tape it up good and prime it with a self etching primer. Next you need to scuff up the primer and paint it with preferably an epoxy paint, but I have done it with Rustolium Hammered finish enamel and it looks great and has held up well. The right way to do it is to remove the entire windshield frame, but that is quite involved.

 

[fwebster]

Well, you aren't going to remove the windshield from an aft cabin...............

My advice is to not try to save money on the chemicals/paint. Buy the very best materials you can find. I've repainted several windshields and cockpit hatch frames and do better when I strip as much of the old powder coating off as possible. It is more steps, but I acid wash the aluminum, then prime with a light coating of zinc chromate primer, lightly sand, but not thru the primer with an epoxy primer, sand with 400 up grit paper then shoot the frame with PPG automotive acrylic enamel. On your particular boat, I'd consider using a gloss white paint to get an updated appearance.

Done right, this is an involved and time consuming job, but its worth the effort since it will save the windshield frame. Good luck..............

 

[88dancer300]

Good advice, I left out the acid prep. PPG is a good choice, I have been spraying it in the automotive industry for years.

 

[eqquus1]

Thanks for the advice!