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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Polishing aluminum window frames

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sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/19/2014 : 22:27:22

On our 1981 Cat 25 the original aluminum window frames look tired to say the least. I have read that a product called Marine 31 works great on aluminum but that it should not be used on clear coated or anodized surfaces. Were those window frames ever clear coated or anodized? Or what recommendations are there to brighten them some?

Thanks,

Mike

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DavidBuoy
Admiral

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USA
707 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 06:14:06

Mike,

I believe that they are anodized and to get the coating off they would need to be chemically striped. I remember reading this from somebody else that did this. Next time i redo my windows, i would love to powdercoat them white.

-Rob

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 07:13:53

Yep, they are anodized. Short of disassembling the frames, having them stripped and re-anodized . . . Nevr Dull may be the next best thing. You will, however, probably only see minimal improvement.

http://www.nevrdull.com/

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kiko
1st Mate

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USA
69 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 10:51:08

used MEK and a scotch brite pad and my frames turned out really nice.

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sailboat
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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 14:53:15

Thanks, I will give that a try. Where did you purchase the MEK?

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 18:05:07

Be super careful with MEK - nasty stuff especially near your eyes.

Paul

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sailboat
Navigator

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USA
149 Posts

Response Posted - 11/20/2014 : 22:50:36

Thanks. That's another reason it is banned from navy warships, volatility being the main culprit.

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Akenumber
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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2014 : 19:03:27

It's just epoxy thinner. Does work well though. Be carefull. I don't think you can get it in all states, but home depot should have it.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2014 : 03:37:35

quote:
Originally posted by Akenumber

It's just epoxy thinner. Does work well though. Be carefull. I don't think you can get it in all states, but home depot should have it.

That may explain why my local HD (here in PA) sells "MEK Substitute"

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2014 : 03:38:05

quote:
Originally posted by Akenumber

It's just epoxy thinner. Does work well though. Be carefull. I don't think you can get it in all states, but home depot should have it.

That may explain why my local HD (here in PA) sells "MEK Substitute"

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glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 08:34:21

A number of years ago, we repainted Adventure, and during that project since the windows had been removed, I decided to polish the trim pieces. I used a buffing wheel and polishing compond on a bench grinder. I should say I used a number of sticks of compound and wheels. The outcome was wonderful, and now they look like polished stainless. But it was a lot of work. Perhaps stripping them first would have made the job easier, but!!!

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Jan Briede
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 10:47:48

When I had mine out (and I still need to do two ports) I just gave a very good scrubbing with comet and they look pretty darn decent (see also my blog post of 10/5/2014: http://vanomad.blogspot.com/2014/10/seaford-1052014.html)
Jan

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JB
Navigator

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USA
110 Posts

Response Posted - 11/24/2014 : 14:17:33

Won't these abrasive cleaners remove the anodization, if so would you seal it with varnish or some other clear coat?

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Jan Briede
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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 11/25/2014 : 06:49:10

JB, truthfully I am not sure; and I am not sure if it matters. My aluminium does not need to be shiny, and a good friend of mine who works in boat restoration at a marina basically recommends comet and/or soft scrub for almost any job on a boat (except wood and canvas/sails ... I did not talk stainless with him).

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.