TOPIC: Restoring white plastic-coated MFG deck hardware

Has anyone had any luck restoring the white plastic-coated MFG deck hardware? Any tips to share, such as materials used?

My new to me Edinboro really could use some help in this area. My Niagara has good chrome hardware and did not need this step.

Congrats! on your new boat. Looks good. Although I haven't started on recoating the deck hardware on my 65 Niagara yet. I was going to try the rubber coating sold on Metro Restyling web site. I bought 3M vinyl too redo my ski racks & pockets form them. Their sercive was excellant.

Thanks and thanks for the tip.

That's a rare red 1965 Niagara you have there! Most out there are blue, and the red got replaced with coppertone for 1966.

have you talked to the vinyl wrap folks that wrap buses and cars ?
that may be an option ?

Hmmm - that might work.

I wonder how durable it would be on the cleats with abrasion from lines?

In doing some digging, I found this stuff, XL-8 from V.O. Baker Company in Mentor, OH. Seems to have the right characteristics and can be sprayed, brushed or dipped. A gallon is $90 so it's pricey. I would think a gallon would coat enough hardware for three or four boats.

Mentor is only a 1/2 hour from me, so I'll drive out sometime soon and check it out.

If it works, I think I may go into the re-coating of MFG deck hardware business! There are plenty of shops that do chrome, but not plastic coating.

See:

vobaker.com/XL-8-Plastic-Coating-White.html

I have the same issue with my '63 Edinboro. I ended up spraying them but I'm not thrilled with the result. Please let us know how this goes. Too bad its pricey and we are far apart, I'd be happy to split a gallon with you!

Talbot

You might consider powder coating them at a cycle or atv shop that specializes in smaller parts and quantities. Choose a hard abrasion resistant top film after the color. Wrap material typically does not provide much abrasion resistance since it's only 3-4 Mls thick, even with the top film. When we do boat graphics with it, it's recommended not to go below the water line to keep water out from In between the wrap and the body from hitting the waves. Some of that dip material is pretty tough also and easy to do at home.

So it's been a long time, but I finally got the hardware powder-coated on my 1962 MFG Edinboro.. The cost to strip and coat the nine pieces was just under $200. A steal compared to what chrome plating can cost. It's a very close match to the original plastic-coated hardware. I went with a semigloss finish get a better match to the original.

I'd recommend going this route. Result was excellent and not cost prohibitive.