Anybody tell me how to remove the bow rail on the 242 for paint , is it possible to get a nice job without removing it ?? Please no comment about polishing and wise cracks

Thanks

The 242 is built in an SS and an LS. Which one do you have? The rails are different.

It's the ss

OK one other variation: the short or tall rail? The short rail is just enough to slip your hand under it. The tall rail is about 6" above the deck.

Thanks it's the tall one , I'm thinking drill out the screw heads and gassing over the hole or going with a larger threaded screw to reinstall I don't believe there is access to the nut inside .

The narrow trim strip against the outside perimeter of the headliner comes off. Once that is off the through bolts of the rail are just behind the edge of the headliner. The headliner does not have to be removed but you will have to work around the edge of it to access all the through bolts for the rail. The terminating ends are through bolted as well but are accessed through the side storage of the cockpit.

These are difficult in that you need someone up on the deck to hold the screws. On the short rail all the nuts can be removed from inside without extra hands on the oustside.
I wouldn't drill the screws. They are good stainless fasteners and you would have to replace them at some cost.