I have a 91' boat with what looks like 1st generation Latham steering. My questions is the chrome is gone and there is some metal pitching on the cylinders. All is intact and works fine, just looks terrible. The guys at Latham were great and gave me some prices to update. Has anyone done a little sanding and paint work themselves to update and cut some costs? Does this need to be done with anti-fouling paint?

Don't cheap out! Send the stuff to Latham. Your transom will look 100 % better!

A friend of mine took that chrome tape an put over the cylinders and it looks fine.
It's alot cheaper then what the Gods at Latham want

SAVE THE HEADACHE AND SEND IT BACK AND GET NEW.

There's only one way to do it . The right way, send it back to latham and let them refinish it.. Tom

I would ckeck a post a while back. A lot of people were complaining about Laytham crome looking bad after a short while. I guess it is easy for us to sit back and say buy new, but the cost if high. You definatly can paint them any color you want. Use a good Etching primer, have them sandblasted by some one that knows how to do Hydrolic stuff. Then right to paint in the color of your choice. It will last if you use a good paint like a Imron, or Durrathane. That option is always there for you if the sticker shock of new it to much. Also you can put Marine Machine, WMP, and other pistons on your boat if you like the price or look better.

Jon