Advice on aluminium windscreen frame - paint or not?

Docktor

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I am refurbishing the windscreen on my Shetland 570 - the frame is aluminium, not anodised, and is relatively good order. Despite a vigorous cleaning using soapy water and using Autosol to polish the flat sections - there is still a lot of oxidation. I am tempted to give it all a sanding, apply an etch primer and paint the frame in an aluminium colour. There have been a few topics discussing this on the forum - none of which have pictures of the results. Is it a good idea or not - any pitfalls?

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dylanwinter

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I am refurbishing the windscreen on my Shetland 570 - the frame is aluminium, not anodised, and is relatively good order. Despite a vigorous cleaning using soapy water and using Autosol to polish the flat sections - there is still a lot of oxidation. I am tempted to give it all a sanding, apply an etch primer and paint the frame in an aluminium colour. There have been a few topics discussing this on the forum - none of which have pictures of the results. Is it a good idea or not - any pitfalls?

View attachment 53008

View attachment 53009

View attachment 53010

electrical tape

the frames on Katie l are the same. I ran some black electrical tape onto them - no-one has noticed

D
 

Tranona

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Have it blasted and powder coated. Difficult to get a good finish with hand applied coatings.
 

prof pat pending

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Wrap it with a chrome effect film.
I've seen photos of one done, the result was pretty good

9BF584B8-9A4E-4BAB-BA78-3A7E68CC0937.jpg
 
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Docktor

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Thanks for all the good suggestions - budget-wise the wrap sounds like the best contender. If the photograph you attached prof pat is a wrap then I am very impressed.
 

Yngmar

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Not sure if it's available in the UK, but one method is Alumaprep + clear Alodine. Both are applied by simply dunking the piece in a suitable size bath (for your long, slim pieces, a tube sealed on one end). The first etches it and the second applies a chromate conversion coating[1]. Looks good (if you use clear instead of yellow Alodine) and protects very well against corrosion. The stuff is highly toxic though and should be handled with care and kept well clear of your skin and lungs.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromate_conversion_coating
 

pandos

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Why not use aluminium coloured vinyl from a sign company. I have used it on a sample piece to do the same job and it worked a treat. Fill with plastic padding sand and apply film.
 

Docktor

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What prep is required for the Alumaprep/Alodine - none at all or a light sanding?

I think the vinyl wrap is likely to be the easiest and cost effective solution for my needs. I have had a look online for automotive aluminium / chrome wrap and am not sure which are the good, the bad and the ugly. I'll post the before and after pictures when complete.
 

PCUK

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This thread may have saved me a few bob. I was going to have stainless flat frames laser cut and bond them to the old ali frames. The chrome wrap looks like it will do the job, even if it has to be redone every few years. Just checked and Amazon sell it for £17.95 for a 1 x 1.5M sheet. Certainly worth a go at that price.
 
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