Powder coated rail touch up
 

Ok, I have searched the forum for an answer to no avail. My rails are starting to show some wear and some of the powder coat is coming off. Does anyone have a decent solution to this problem that does not involve rail removal? I have searched about for touch-up paint, etc., but I know powder coat ain't paint. Anyone? Thanks!!!:drink:

seaweasel i've got the same problem most of all the powder coating has came off on my rails, ive really just been tryin to figure out how to get it all removed, its comes off in flakes but its still a pain tryin to get it all off

I stripped the PC off every rail, grab handle and the seat base frames and polished them. Was a long job. The PC always looked dirty to me and had a few chips from the snaps. Looks so much better now.

Touch up with paint is a temp fix. Depends on what type of results you are after/willing to settle for.

Us1 that's how I feel about mine! What did you use to get it all off, having problems around the joints & welds, I'd rather not take off the rails & handels if possible

Sorry, but they'll have to come off if you want the PC off. Not really hard to remove, just takes some time. The polishing was a job though. After I stripped them, I then used sand paper to sand them smooth. They appeared to have a glass bead texture to them. I assumed for the PC to stick?? Once I got them sanded good and smooth with a fair shine, hit them with a couple different buffing wheels and polishing sticks. I'm sure a pro would be able to polish in 1/2 the time it took me.



I soaked mine in a narrow tray filled with acetone. Let 'r soak a couple minutes, the PC'ing just bubbled up and peeled off.

On my powerquest I would always use a small touch up brush and some color matched paint if it was just a small repair. This is what they would do at the marina as well.

I have also had great results with aircraft remover. I used is on aluminum to remove the PC and like US1, it just bubbled and came off. The stuff burns your skin thou!

SW,

I have a few nicks on my windshield trim and Shogren suggested trying Krylon Gloss White for minor touchup. I have a can but haven't tried it yet.

Another member painted a 38 or 42 last year and posted pix on the board. They sanded and painted the rub rail and wind screen frame in place and it looked pretty good.

No real short cuts I guess:mad:

For white fountain powdercoat, rustoleum gloss white (can not spray) marine is a great match.

Lacquer thinner will also remove powder coat. I have stripped powder coated items and painted with base/clear. This allows you to match graphic colors easily. This has actually lasted longer than the original powdercoat.

I second the white rustoleum, touched up the windshield frame and other powdered parts as well as the trailer and a few small gel nicks. I appreciate the work that would go into stripping, sanding, and polishing all of the rails.

Small chit, like others have said, touch it up. I just get some small artists brushes at a craft shop and touch it up with some matching paint. I will put some on then lightly sand with some super fine paper, repeat a few times till it fills level, the buff up with some fine polishing compound by hand. Usually blends in pretty well. I may still see it, but the average person would never know.

Powder coat is not the all great and wonderful chit it is claimed to be in my opinion. If all is perfect when and how done it's great, the least little thing wrong in the process and it turns to chit. I'd take well done paint any day, but Reggie didn't ask me before mine was done so I guess I'll just live with the occasional touch up.

I Took my rails off yesterday, for the most part removal is not too bad. However, a few of the bolts were covered over in fiberglass on the port side in the cabin, used a dremel tool to remove the fiberglass. Good luck to others working on this project!

I had same findings. The rails are installed while the boat is still in 2 halves for ease. Then when joining the hull and deck, they FG over some of the rail mounts.