1994 Carver 350 Aft Cabin - Replacement Drip Edge

[eswickberg]

I'm currently trying to look at replacing or refinishing the 1 inch aluminum drip edge that runs around the lower edge of my prow and the entire bottom edge of the aft deck hardcover. It appears to be made of aluminum screwed in every 6 inches to the fibreglass of both areas. It appears to have been powder coated which is worn off and corroded in a number of areas. Any info on if this was an original item and what other types of drip edge molding might be used. Does anyone have info on where I might find replacement or if I had it sandblasted the best way to refinish it. See the below image of this strip

[Phrancus]

looks like coated aluminium. Cracks allow moist and thus corrosion. Take it off, remove paint (chemical and sanding) polish and put on a coat that remains flexible and adheres to aluminium. Aluminium needs a different primer. Check the automotive materials for aluminium rims if you want to go that way.

But this one is screwed on, the screws cracked the paint. If the profile is not too complex you might just replace the whole thing and use modern caulk to put and keep it in place with perhaps a hidden clamp here and there.

[Midnightsun]

If it was mine I would glass bead blast it to avoid damage to aluminum as aluminum is rather soft. Prime with proper aluminum primer and coat with a good polyurethane paint. Personally I would refinish in white. How long are these pieces? I assume they are maybe 4' or something like that.

[eswickberg]

Thanks for your comments. The pieces are anywhere from 6 feet to 8 feet. It depends where they are installed. I think I might see about having them sandblasted. I have used White Interlux brand 1 step poly on other aluminum areas such as my radar arch. Of course I put on a self etching aluminum primer first.

[AaHubb]

I too had this issue on my 404. My solution was to leave the trim in place and carefully sand it down to bare metal. The aluminum oxidized to a nice gray patina.
..Aaron

[bud37]

Considering it is inside, you could remove the trim, take home, sand smooth with nice fine paper, like 400-600, and rattle can paint it with automotive paint any color you want, it will come up just fine if you take your time with the spray can. It will look original......good luck with your project.

Now that said, if you are not confident, you could drop off the pieces at a body shop and they will paint them for you.

[kporter]

It might be one of the Taco Marine rub rails. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/taco-marine-aluminum-rub-rails I was talking to another carver owner just recently and they just replace with new instead of trying to refinish and his looks fantastic. Will probably do something similar for mine as a previous owner did a poor job with a brush on paint that is flaking (don't think they did the right primer)