RESTORING WINDOWS' ALUMINUM - 1998 290

[CoronCoron]

I have keep my boat in pretty good shape but the aluminum around my windows is dull and pitted. Short of replacing it, it there anything that can help restore its' look?
Thank you

 

[dan cole]

wd40

 

[JHornsby3]

Take it apart and clean and paint it. Or take it all apart and have it bead blasted and anodized. I'd go the painted route myself.

 

[CoronCoron]

wd40

I'll give it a try - it sounds too easy to be true but I'll get back to you when I do it / Thank you

 

[CoronCoron]

Take it apart and clean and paint it. Or take it all apart and have it bead blasted and anodized. I'd go the painted route myself.

I'm not one to take apart the windows, as that is beyond my skill level. Thank you

 

[JHornsby3]

Then use lots of masking tape to protect the seal and glass. Sand it where it needs it and prime it wet sanding it smooth then painting the frame. I have thought about taking mine apart so I can clean everything real good and resealing it all.. The moss is bad around the seals on mine.

 

[CoronCoron]

Then use lots of masking tape to protect the seal and glass. Sand it where it needs it and prime it wet sanding it smooth then painting the frame. I have thought about taking mine apart so I can clean everything real good and resealing it all.. The moss is bad around the seals on mine.

Ok - That sounds like something I can do! Thank you

 

[JHornsby3]

I actually found a silver spray paint that matches exactly. Look for a good Duplicolor paint over the Krylon or Rustoleum. It's a lot more forgiving and doesn't orange peel like the other two does. I have yet to be able to repaint without issues. Duplicolor I have never had an issue with.

And don't leave your tape on for more than about 24 hours. Even the blue tape if it's sitting in the hot sun. It's better to remove the tape and reapply.

 

[Little Ducky]

Please do a before and after.

 

[CoronCoron]

I actually found a silver spray paint that matches exactly. Look for a good Duplicolor paint over the Krylon or Rustoleum. It's a lot more forgiving and doesn't orange peel like the other two does. I have yet to be able to repaint without issues. Duplicolor I have never had an issue with.

And don't leave your tape on for more than about 24 hours. Even the blue tape if it's sitting in the hot sun. It's better to remove the tape and reapply.

Thank you for this detail - it is very appreciated!

 

[CoronCoron]

Please do a before and after.

Will do!

 

[hughespat57]

If you're going to sand and paint, raw aluminum will develop a whitish oxide finish very quickly.
You should sand it, clean it and immediately prime it with a zinc chromate based primer.
Then top coat after the primer drys thoroughly.

 

[CoronCoron]

I will finish this weekend but what I spent 20 minutes on sure worked.
A 6" stainless steel brush and some elbow grease did a very nice job. This weekend I will finish it with using Mother's aluminum polish, recommended by the local marine glass company. I took a few pics, and as I said, this was less than 20 minutes. The top pic is finished the middle is before and the bottom is half way done.