Aluminum&saltwater

[mfoh69]

I'm looking for a few ideas about refinishing deck aluminum parts for service on saltwater. I'm open to any and all ideas. I am considering painting or gelcoating with the proper etching prep or some form of chemical treatment alone or ???. It doesn't have to be shiny, just smooth and consistent color.
Even black would be okay.
Thanks,
Mark

[john61ct]

What's wrong with leaving it bare?

[rbk]

Originally Posted by john61ct

What's wrong with leaving it bare?

Corrosion, pitting, galvanic corrosion. You could have someone anodize or powder coat it if available locally. Otherwise proper primer and paint.

[john61ct]

Sure if connected to different metals.

Or spending extra for cosmetics, can understand that.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Sure if connected to different metals.

Or spending extra for cosmetics, can understand that.

Pitting comes from salt corrosion of varying alloys of aluminium. It isn’t something that you can buff out (pitting) and takes very little time and can be quite extensive if left.

[mfoh69]

Well, I just finished gel coating my 19 foot Cougar catamaran a bright yellow and she looks sooo fine that I hate to just bolt the aluminum arts back on as they are. I sail her here in Pensacola on the bays so she see salt water but she is on a trailer at home in between times.
I may use a trick I heard of which is cleaning, buffing, cleaning, and then applying a light coat of epoxy and, using sandpaper, scrub the aluminum right through the epoxy before it sets up. Then once cured apply the color coat. This sounds better than an acid etch/epoxy because the surface will be acidic. maybe.
Again, all ideas wanted.
Thanks
Mark

[stainless guy]

Google at home anodizing if the parts are small its not too difficult.