Has anyone refinished a cast aluminum hatch?

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

I refinished the original Atkins & Hoyle hatches and ports on my previous boat and all the ports on my current one using the same process.
Sand and prime with 545 epoxy primer, sand, 2nd coat of 545 then 2 coats of your choice of polyurethane top coat. I used Awlgrip.
I did my ports 12 years ago, still looking new.

Thank you, that's good to know if the automotive paint doesn't last in the salty environment.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by BAD ORCA

I wanted them anodized originally but couldnt find anyone around me that could do it, and before they were sandbasted, the surfaces looked like crap from all the casting imperfections so i decided against it. Lots of tooling marks etc... Also, i think anodizing would have been beyond my budget. I set a max budget of around $200. The powder coating would have been $150 if it had worked. Not sure what anodizing would have been?

You can do the anodizing yourself if you can get/build the tanks needed.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You can do the anodizing yourself if you can get/build the tanks needed.

Care sharing the process in a bit more detail?

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You can do the anodizing yourself if you can get/build the tanks needed.

You can? huh...i did not know that. I should look into this. I have the two large hatches still to do at some point.

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You can do the anodizing yourself if you can get/build the tanks needed.

Quick search shows people using plastic tubs. I need to look into this. Its cheap to have parts sandblasted. If i could get a nice aluminum base this might be worth the effort. I have a bunch of other parts i would like to put a durable finish on. Got to love You-tube.

[BAD ORCA]

Autobody Paint. It feels like a pretty thick layer. Looks really good.

[SVTatia]

Looks pretty good!
Wait until its cured and do the tape test: stick a strip of a good tape, masking or similar, press it down and remove the tape. If the prep was done correctly, the paint should not come off.

[s/v Jedi]

About the anodizing process: yes, plenty of YouTube videos showing it. I believe you need a tank/tub with boiling hot water for sealing the anodized layer, which would be the hardest part butI think you can use a tub, pour boiling water from pots and kettles in there, followed by the hatch.

Of course start with some testing… I have seen videos where they use ink to color clothing but in the US it’s simple to source the official products for anodizing so I would go with those.

[BAD ORCA]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Looks pretty good!
Wait until its cured and do the tape test: stick a strip of a good tape, masking or similar, press it down and remove the tape. If the prep was done correctly, the paint should not come off.

No im afraid to lol...I dont think i got the Mercedes Benz paint job.

[col50]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

You can do the anodizing yourself if you can get/build the tanks needed.

And then buy about 25 gallons of sulfuric acid ----- no problem.

[Capt Doug]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

Our boat came with bare cast aluminum "goiot" brand hatches. 49 years old and still looking great.

I thought this was about bomar hatches who cares about you goiot

[AKA-None]

Originally Posted by col50

And then buy about 25 gallons of sulfuric acid ----- no problem.

Yeah I had that job in high school
Nasty evil process

[7479]

I sandblasting our Lewmar hatches and put directly ( within 1hour, without touching them by hand ,screwed a few bolts in the frames) West System epoxy 105 by brush 2 layers. The color effect is dark gray.
They are look still fine after 3 years.

[JBsurfin]

Originally Posted by BAD ORCA

I have Bomar cast aluminum hatches. I took the small one out and had it powder coated but it off-gassed severely (which apparently is an issue with cast aluminum) and has severe pinholes in the finish.

Im wondering if anyone has ever refinished one of these hatches other than just painting it? What process did you use?

They have a 'hammered' powder coat finish they think will work but i really dont like the look of that finish and would prefer smooth gloss black. Has anyone ever painted with a two part gloss black epoxy?

Anyone tried anodizing or having it sprayed with paint they use for cars? There is an autobody shop next to me that could paint it with automotive paint.

I have the same hatches on my 1980 Dickerson. I stripped them to bare metal, Deoxidizer, used Rust-Oleum black aluminum primer (2 coats), then Rust-Oleum high gloss(3 coats) go light on the coats. Going on 3 years and they still look bright. I used 2 part epoxy paint on my aluminum pedestal, correct prep, lasted 2 yrs. pealing. Going to strip and follow what I did the hatches.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by BAD ORCA

I have Bomar cast aluminum hatches. I took the small one out and had it powder coated but it off-gassed severely (which apparently is an issue with cast aluminum) and has severe pinholes in the finish.

Im wondering if anyone has ever refinished one of these hatches other than just painting it? What process did you use?

They have a 'hammered' powder coat finish they think will work but i really dont like the look of that finish and would prefer smooth gloss black. Has anyone ever painted with a two part gloss black epoxy?

Anyone tried anodizing or having it sprayed with paint they use for cars? There is an autobody shop next to me that could paint it with automotive paint.

I have some cast bowman hatches on my boat.. Recently cleaned off the black coating and painted them with an edge primer and one pot polyurethane paint... Works well.
The fwd hatch I left bare and sofar no problems.