Refinishing port and hatch frames

[AiniA]

I have all my port and hatch frames out and stripped down. Want to get them refinished. Considering powder coating, Awlgrip, and anodizing and wonder what success people have had with these? Everything is aluminum.

Thanks

[skipmac]

I did my cast aluminum ports and had them powder coated. Results were OK but not perfect. Several of them the finish came out pitted and bumpy looking. Not horrible but certainly obvious. Powder coating shop said that always happens with anything they coat that came off a boat. They think it's something to do with salt water. Claimed they have stripped, sandblasted and recoated some things 2-3 times and still couldn't get a perfect finish.

I redid my Al body anchor windlass with paint and was pretty happy with the results. Haven't soaked in salt water yet so can't comment on the durability but I did a hatch the same way years ago and it stayed perfect for years.

Whatever paint you use, make sure you start with the proper aluminum primer. I used Petit Aluma-protect, two part epoxy chromate primer then whatever compatible paint you prefer on top. I used Petit Easypoxy.