Radar Arch

grouch0jr

The paint on my radar Arch is starting to peel, so I plan on getting the whole thing repainted. But I recently noticed some small cracks forming in the arch itself where the VFH antenna is mounted. Oddly enough the cracks look like they are forming in a proper rectangle, almost like the area was previously patched? Has anyone seen anything like this? 

davidbrooks

A lot of us had cracking gel coat issues on the arch. They are made out of really heavy duty aluminum. And if it wasn't clean and rust free when prepped it will cause an issue. I think the only way to stop it is to grind it all the way down to the aluminum and then build it up with a metal Bondo type material. Then gel coat. You have to make sure that when you get it down to bare metal that you clean it and protect it immediately.

PickleRick

Is this the only ugly spot? 

If so, I'd cover it with a piece of starboard that is sealed with 3m 4000 and screwed down.  Mount my accessories to that and call it a day. 

Pat310

All of my finish problems on my arch are right where they installed stainless screws into the aluminum arch. When ever you screw into the arch make sure to coat the screws with tef gel.  https://www.jupiterboatsupply.com/products/tef-gel-tg-2-2oz-tub.html

grouch0jr

I need to take a closer look at the other mounting points, but this is the only really bad spot I've noticed. I'll definitely buy that Tef Gel, I just used SS hardware for mounting new speakers in the arch.

goalie59

All three of my Rinkers have had poor arch coatings. I agree the aluminum seems to create  poor substrate to bond to. I have heard of people removing them if you can and have a body shop completely grind and refinish. Other than that just patching  up and putting up with how it looks. That’s what I have done. There seems to be so many other things to fix on a boat .