re-painting widshield frame

[AirJeff]

Just wondering if you guys knew the best way to repaint the frame of the windshield? Ours is all scratched up from the previous owner. I know how to get it off the boat, but is there a way to get the glass out? Then I could powder-coat it? Or what would be best? Thanks!

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

RE-PAINTING WINDSHEILD FRAME

hey bro,
i hate to be the bearer of bad news but the "proper" way to do this is to remove the complete windsheild, disassemble, scuff and powder-coat or paint. try to keep the peices together that screw togather....call me and i'll walk you through it.jason at southwest correct craft 903-882-8593. i work for correct craft.

[ag4ever]

If you know how to remove the frome from the hull, then you know how to get the glass out. I had mine apart, and to get the bottom track off the hull, the glass had to come out of the track to get to the screws. The top track unscrews, and pops off the top. The side pieces unscrew, and pop off the glass. The glass lifts out and now you can remove the bottom track.

The only negative I have heard is that powdercoating is thicker than paint, and can make reassembly tougher because the track is smaller, and the gasket it much tighter.

[wakejunky]

I am the only one I know of who has powder coated their windshield frame.
I removed the windshield, (piece of cake) removed the glass from the frame and then had the pieces powder coated.
Reassembly was a biotch. Powder coating is much thicker than the paint they come with so getting the pieces back together was a bear, had to spread some pieces apart to get them to slip back together.
I think it looks slick, now it matches the tower and is is much darker than the stock paint.
I do tend to maintain a little more than I would on the stock paint because powder coating doesn't have as much UV protectants than paint so, I'm a little nervous about fading. So, I try and keep wax on it as well as the tower.

Chris

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

when you are assembeling the powder coated/painted frame use a soapy solution to make her slide right on togather. if your going to this much trouble and are shooting for pimp, i would take the tower off and do the same. you can be really anal and do the ski pylon, platform brackets and other componets through out the boat

[AirJeff]

Thanks for all the info!

I'll just be going back to the standard black, I think. (hmm, perhaps I could strip it all and have it anodized clear?) What would be more durable, powder-coating or painting...like at a body shop, or anodizing?

[Dr.John]

Thanks for all the info!

I'll just be going back to the standard black, I think. (hmm, perhaps I could strip it all and have it anodized clear?) What would be more durable, powder-coating or painting...like at a body shop, or I anodizing?

Jeff, anodizing is more durable since it's not a paint. No film buildup either. I would definately go with anodizing for this particular application.

Next most durable is powder, then automotive enamel, although if you get the catalyst modified system, it's hardess approaches powder, and you have infinate color choices.

[Grant_West]

I have to chime in here, Chriss you had your Windshield frame powdercoated. Was you paint falling off, My'n is. I noticed that the paint on my window frame is very soft??? I can put my fingernail into it and scratch it if I choose. I planed on talking with my dealer and seeng if he has heard of anyother boats with this same problem

[wakejunky]

Yes, I did have my windshield frame powder coated. The only reason I went this route was because the paint was peeling off on the passenger side. Just about where your should would hit if you were to turn your body and lean it against the windsheild. Don't have any explaination as to why it was peeling, thought maybe sunscreen or something. Contacted warrantee and they agreed to pay to have the windshield powder coated but, not the labor involved in disassembling the frame from the glass.
I did all the work, removal, disassembly, re-assembly and installation.

Chris