Window Frames

[ADaily3224]

My 1988 36 has the original bronze colored window frames. The finish is so thin you can see through it in places. It's not corroded, I'm in fresh water, just bleached out by the sun. Question is, has anyone refinished their frames to the original color? Every one I've seen are painted the hull color. I'd like to keep the original look, a little old fashioned, but original.

Tony D

 

[Tim Powell]

My 1988 36 has the original bronze colored window frames. The finish is so thin you can see through it in places. It's not corroded, I'm in fresh water, just bleached out by the sun. Question is, has anyone refinished their frames to the original color? Every one I've seen are painted the hull color. I'd like to keep the original look, a little old fashioned, but original.

Tony D

Kinda ran across the same problem with my 45c the answer i got was they were not painted but anodised (not sure about spelling) I do not know the process but gotta take them out. I talked to Sams Marine they have the straight stock in in stock already colored might be your best bet to keep origional. Good luck

 

[Timeout]

I used commercial spray paint formulated for the aluminum frames on commercial buildings. I believe they use it for touch up. Got it from the local glass shop. Color was as close to perfect as you can get. Has holded up well (4 years old) and required just a very light sanding. I'll see if I can find manufacturer and color tonight.

 

[Mahalo]

I had all my frames pulled and redone last year. They filled any corrosion wholes and than reannodized them with the bronz color.

My only regrete is not changing the color to replicate the new boats....bit otherwise it's great.

Tom
Mahalo
1980 50C

 

[Timeout]

The spray paint I used was C. R. Laurence Co., Inc. Match-Up Paint - Medium Bronze L-6515 - crlaurence.com. Must be good because it has all the ingredients that cause half the deseases known to man....

 

[buzzk]

Have you thought about replacing your frames with fiberglass frames. They can be painted any color you want. Broadus Rose makes them, you can call him at 252 723 2222. He has some pictures of a 36 Hatteras with his windows on his web site. The site is boatwindowframes.com

 

[Timeout]

If you spray, your talking about 1 day to prep and paint and about $20-30 in materials. If you don't like it, no harm done and you can always revert back to pulling frames and spending the big bucks.

 

[rsmith]

Every one I've seen painted starts with that filiform bubble up rot. Seems the paint makes the Al rot. And yes if its acid etched alodined and primed with zink chromate it will last a little longer but any thin spot on an edge or scratch will start the rot. Bubbles

 

[34Hatt]

Every one I've seen painted starts with that filiform bubble up rot. Seems the paint makes the Al rot. And yes if its acid etched alodined and primed with zink chromate it will last a little longer but any thin spot on an edge or scratch will start the rot. Bubbles

Yes sir done it a few to many times by the book and a few years down the road it starts again!

The only thing that holds up best is to anodize it But still not full proof if your in Salt water. Talked with a older Gent been Anodizing all his life owns his own company here on the Island. His response was
"Son it will hold up if you anodize it then put it in the boat and put the boat up on blocks in the back yard"

On my list for updates is Fiberglass frames from Broadus Nice stuff and No more corrosion !