342 Radar arch repair

johnepjohnep Posts: 114 ✭✭
in General Boating Discussions
The radar arch on my 2005 342 has several rust bubbles coming out.  I figured I could grind it down and prime and paint those areas.  After grinding them there seems to be bondo in several areas.  Is that normal? My main reason for doing this was to fix leaks when my canvas is up. Not sure if I should use regular bondo or a marine grade if there is such a thing.  Seems my minor repair is turning into a much larger job.
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  • LaReaLaRea Posts: 8,069 mod
    Is it near the base?  Some early 342s suffered freeze damage from water being trapped.  A gelcoat repair from 12-13 years ago might require touch-up at this point. 

    Can you post some photos? 
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    So the structure of the arch is aluminum, so that is not ‘rust’ per se.  You will need to get to bare metal, then prep/prime/paint for aluminum. The arch is glassed/gel coated for the finish. 

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • johnepjohnep Posts: 114 ✭✭
    The arch is coated with a type of filler, not fiberglass. I have found a two part epoxy sealer primer.  Once that has set up I will fill in the areas and gel coat it.

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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I researched drilling the screw holes out and taping them and using high strength nylon machine screws to avoid the corrosion from 2 dissimilar metals. 
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  • Cableguy GregCableguy Greg Posts: 5,077 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The arches are painted with an AwlGrip style paint, not gelcoat. That is why they fade at a different rate than the boat itself.
    2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" (Sold)
    2022 Cherokee 294GEBG Black Label land yacht. 
    Go Steelers!!!
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  • raybo3raybo3 Posts: 5,614 admin
    Why not buy  aluminum screws?
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    raybo3 said:
    Why not buy  aluminum screws?
    Not strong enough
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  • raybo3raybo3 Posts: 5,614 admin
    Handymans342 said:
    raybo3 said:
    Why not buy  aluminum screws?
    Not strong enough
    Not true. We use them all the time. 
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    They may be if they are machine screws. Why did the factory use stainless screws into Alunimum knowing it would cause issues later on with corrosion?? Heck, why did the chicken cross the road?? LOL
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  • raybo3raybo3 Posts: 5,614 admin
    edited April 2019
     all boat manufacturers use s/s screws into aluminum. Its just easier I guess.  
    2002 342 Fiesta Vee PC Point Of Pines YC Revere MA. popyc.org     raybo3@live.com
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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Chicken question answer: to see his friend Gregory Peck. 

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • SeaHareSeaHare Posts: 194 ✭✭✭
    Does anyone know what paint or product to use for a rinker arch ( 01)? I need to touch mine up from the zipper hitting it in the wind
    01 FV 310, 5.7s carbed, B3s
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I was told by Rinker it is the same color as the Ford vans .Oxford white
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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2019
    Handymans342 said:
    I was told by Rinker it is the same color as the Ford vans .Oxford white
    I believe that is just for the boats that used the bright white color. The boats that had the off white/light beige color used a different color. My gelcoat and arch are a lot tanner than a 95 Econoline :open_mouth:

    My boat is "sand white" above the rub rail and on the arch. Here is what matches perfect for my gelcoat repair:

    https://www.iboats.com/shop/spectrum-color-rinker-2000-2005-sand-white-color-boat-gel-coat-patch-paste-repair-kit.html
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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