Metal Cabin Door Frame

[Gerry Zagorski]

The boat we are getting ready to pull the trigger on has a black metal frame (aluminum I think) going down into the cabin that is fixed to the bulkhead with stainless screws... The black paint is bubbled up in several areas and looks like crap. I think most of this was likely caused by the dissimilar metals of the stainless screws coming in contact with the aluminum door frame. We all know what happens to dissimilar metals in the marine environment.

I plan on pulling the frame off the boat and getting it down to the bear metal and either priming and painting or or perhaps even having it powder coated.

Any of you have suggestions on paint and or do you think powder coating will hold up? Also not sure what to do with the screws.... Thinking maybe some small plastic grommets or washers under the screw heads might help, or maybe use a different material screw all together??

Thanks guys.

[Cuz]

I would strip the paint and use a good protector polish instead of painting it again. Stainless metal will not cause any damage. It not the screws fault unless they're alumimun. Aluminum gets corroded very easily. If you do paint the frame again make sure you use an expensive aluminum primer first on both sides. Then a real good aluminum paint. Spaying is better than brushing. Or you can take the frame to a metal shop for a professional job that will last forever.

[SaltLife1980]

Hey gerry.. if you need any welding work done on the supports or a different way to to hold it all together instead of the screws.. Im sure Capt Joe can get it done for you.. He has his own welding company that does great work..

Just throwing it out there since im really not sure how the set up looks like and if he feels it would be better or whatever.. He would be glad to help you out

Shoot me a pm and i can get you in touch with him and explain the issues you are concerned about if you would like to go a different route

He has done a lot of welding for me, Roll cage in my drag car was all welded by him and it came out amazing, a long with some welding on a friends boat to make the frame work for for an closed cabin..


Jeff

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks guys.

[LegalEyes]

The best thing to do with aluminum is to anodize it... range of colors clear, champagne, bronzes or hardcoating to get flat black.

The key to painting it, especially powder, is the primer. Even still it wont last forever.

I suspect from what you said they tried to paint over aluminum. If the original aluminum was anodized (most likely, even clear) the paint wont stick well. At my old shop we would strip the aluminum, then process it with alodine, then powder coat. Most places cant alodine, but its the best way to go. Shop is Mathpeth queens.

http://www.henkelna.com/cps/rde/xchg/henkel_us/hs.xsl/brands-1556.htm?nodeid=8797571448974. Tell s a bit about it more technically.

I can help you out if you want, shoot me a pm

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks Legal.... I might take you up on that. Been looking around on the net and several posts I've seen mention aldoline. Does not sound like something one can get in any paint store though.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Legal - If did find the alodine on line..... Holy Moly it's $130 :eek: for a small applicator that looks like a magic marker.

[LegalEyes]

Legal = Harris

Wow. How much for the eching solution you'll need first...lol.

Ill probably trade you for some numbers and toll money...:-D.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Harris - Got the frame off the boat the other day....I'm thinking of having it professionally powder coated. Thoughts???

[shrimpman steve]

steel wool and a can of rustolium:eek: :D

[dfish28]

Hey Gerry,
Any thoughts on eliminating the metal and going w a starboard like product?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Hey Gerry,
Any thoughts on eliminating the metal and going w a starboard like product?

Thought about it Adam and that would be the way to go but the frame is pretty complicated. It's got channels built in to catch water and it's also gasketed. Further, not sure how sturdy the starboard would be since I would have to mount the top and side doors to it.