330 Radar Arch Repair

redlightning

Had some audio work done on the boat and the tech cut some metal and got aggressive installing speakers.  I have 10” cracks now in the middle side of the arch.  The plan is to pull the arch and take to a body shop where I assume they will blast it then have it powder coated.  They came and looked at it and told him it was powder coated.  Anyone know if this is true? Any idea what this thing might weigh?

YYZRC

I don’t think it’s powder coated. It is mostly body filler!!

My marina quoted 40 hours to remove, refinish and reinstall. 

Rinker wanted $12k for a hardtop to replace it. 

Cableguy Greg

It is painted with AwlGrip paint. The arch is aluminum, but it can't be light.

aero3113

It’s definitely not light!

YYZRC

I reached out to Nate at SEI (manufacturer of the arch) and there are the paint codes he gave me:

I do not believe it is Awl Grip from what he told me. 

aero3113

I have some blisters on the outside of my arch that I want to repair. I was just staring at my boat from the kitchen window and had a thought, In spring I will cut the shrink wrap by the arch on the sides and tape off. This way no over spray will get in the boat 😎.

YYZRC

Brilliant!

aero3113

Finally decided to repair 2 spots that were really bothering me on the inside of the arch. I’m pretty happy at how they came out, about 98% better! I still have a couple of spots on the exterior, I’ll get them another day. The Rustoleum Universal gloss white was a perfect match for my arch.

YYZRC

Looks great! My old 330 arch is being worked on, same issue. 

Liberty44140

Wow nice aero, looks good! Is that the sand white or bright white?

aero3113

@Liberty44140 , it’s bright white (“Rinker White”).

davidbrooks

The base on mine is pretty bad in that it looks like someone used way too much bondo and it didn't zig when the aluminum under it zagged.  I need to take a grinder to it one day.

LaRea

Are you sure it's not freeze damage?  I forgot if we've had this conversation.  My '03 didn't drain at the base of the arch.  Freezing water cracked the finish during the first season.  Rinker had the dealer drill weep holes and refinish it.

YYZRC

@aero3113 did you prime first?  I used an etching primer but I don't think it was necessary.

aero3113

@YYZRC , no I didn’t. 

Handymans342

I thought Al told me it was spray on gelcoat. I can remember

Handymans342

Shame on you guys not using primer

aero3113

It’s 100% bondo / paint over the aluminum arch. No gel coat on my arch. It will be fine with no primer. I’ve used this paint on tons of projects, never an issue.

YYZRC

Handymans342 said:

I thought Al told me it was spray on gelcoat. I can remember

Maybe it was gel coat on the older models but not on the newer (2007+?) eyebrow arches made by SEI. 

Handymans342

When I had a chip come off my arch, its was thicker than paint and hard like gelcoat

oscar1

great work

aero3113

Thank you @oscar1

Spyderweb

@aero3113 great job.  I’ve got several small fingernail size chips on the top.  Not really worth filling with bondo, only I can see it.  Do you think the rustoleum would bond to the aluminum?

aero3113

Yes, @Spyderweb I do. If there small spots maybe use the brush on Rustoleum instead?

Pat310

@aero3113 what did you fill the defects with? Bondo?  I was thinking of using Starbrite aluminum epoxy stick or maybe JB Weld water epoxy stick. By the way if you get tired of airplanes I think you can have a career in body work. Nice job

aero3113

Thanks @Pat310 !! Yes, Bondo.

aero3113

I got one little run down by the hinge. But overall very happy. A little wet sanding and it should look close to perfect!

Spyderweb

Very nice!

YYZRC

Like new!

oscar1

great

aero3113

I compounded and waxed the arch today. I was shocked at how shiny and smooth it is now. The areas I painted are like there not even there now. Hopefully this will make cleaning bird droppings off much easier now!