Plastic Sleeve on Bimini Poles

rmrstlmo

These are pictures from my 2000 340 FV.  Two of the bimini poles have a thick (.100") plastic sleeve around one section of the poles.  They look like they've been there since it was new.  They look pretty heavy duty to just be some kind of shipping material.  Does anyone know why they would be there?  I'd like to remove them but I'm not sure of the condition of the metal.  It looks very dirty and corroded.

rasbury

I can't tell where exactly they are at, but might it be there to be a barrier between the bimini material and the metal?

Dream_Inn

I can't imagine why they are there.  Definitely should remove and see if you can clean them up.

raybo3

They are there to help keep the glass of the poles so the poles dont burn the glass. 

rasbury

10-4 Raybo- the fellow that re did my top said if your going to leave your covers up to do something like that to keep them apart as the metal does get very hot...I'd leave them on or replace them with something that looks better...

aero3113

I use these, there made to keep the Windows off of the hot metal. Just make sure you order the correct size.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--window-savers--P018_543_004_505

Dream_Inn

Looks like in the picture he has window savers on it already.  May just need another one or two.

aero3113

Dream_Inn said:

Looks like in the picture he has window savers on it already.  May just need another one or two.

I didn't notice that, but it's riveted on and facing the wrong way??

aero3113

Actually I think it's a bumper for when it's folded up.

Dream_Inn

Aero, you are correct.  I didn't pay much attention to how it was on there.  On my previous boats, I used the window savers and they were ok.  They did tend to leave marks on the glass a bit and you needed extra or the glass would just stretch and still touch metal.  The best thing is to just get a bigger boat with a hardtop.

aero3113

Dream_Inn said:

Aero, you are correct.  I didn't pay much attention to how it was on there.  On my previous boats, I used the window savers and they were ok.  They did tend to leave marks on the glass a bit and you needed extra or the glass would just stretch and still touch metal.  The best thing is to just get a bigger boat with a hardtop.

I agree!!!!

TonyWalker

A simple solution that works for me is to use velcro straps wrapped around the bimini poles at strategic points.  They keep the glass away from the poles very effectively.

 

Tony

Salt Shaker 342

raybo3

I dont agree its a bumper. IMO if it were then the poles would not get close enough to fold properly. IMO the PO did not know what they were and stuck a rivet into it. Those are made for the glass.............. 

MarkB

If those are plastic, why not just get some chrome paint and spray them over?

Michael T

.....or go to as hardware store and get a couple of those plastic covers that go over shower rails (I have seen them in silver btw) and replace them.....maybe that's what the p.o. used in the first place?

rmrstlmo

Thanks for all the comments.  Yes, some of the window savers are not on correctly. That hasn't been an issue.

 I'm thinking I'll remove the plastic sleeves and see how clean I can get the metal poles.  If anyone still has any more ideas I'm open to suggestions. 

Dream_Inn

One suggestion for cleaning.  Use Flitz polish.  IMO, it is the best metal polish cleaner out there!

JC290

As dream said Flitz polish

rmrstlmo

I've been using mothers but I'll get some Flitz.  I'll need a full assault on that corrosion!  Thanks for the tip.

raybo3

Flitz is excellent and Never Dull is very good also..... 

rmrstlmo

I removed the plastic sleeves from the bimini poles yesterday and polished them.  You can see from the before and after pics that they cleaned up very nicely.  My best guess it that the plastic sleeves were some kind of shipping material that was on there since the boat was new.

Michael T

Very nice work. What a relief that they look OEM!

Dream_Inn

Very nice!

MarkB

Looks good.

BellevilleMXZ

Looks WAY better

frodo13056

Looks brand new! I made some pole "covers" for my boat - got some blue felt type material, sewed velcro on the sides and now they wrap the pole the entire length where the pole can contact the window. 

Michael T

@frodo13056, great modification. That's going to get copied!

rmrstlmo

Thanks for the help and comments.  No knowing what I would find when I removed them....   Yes, it was huge relief when I got the first one off and it cleaned up so nicely.

raybo3

I just bought the felt pole covers from a canvas shop. Perfect match with the color.

Michael T

@rmrstlmo, awesome job! What a relief, I bet!