Sceptre Winshield frame repaint?

[jobu]

I have a 23 Sceptre (tracker-88) and the winshield is looking a bit old. It is a black painted frame and I was thinking of painting it white. Any suggestions or links?
I would just strip it but it has some corrosion around canvas screw holes.
How tough is it to tackel tahing one of these off? Do the come out in sections/ panels...The boat is covered and I forget.
Thanks, Joe

[htillman]

They come off in sections. On the older Sceptres, remove the side panels first, work up under the gunnels and inside the cabin. Then side them upward and off. Then work on the front panels. Remove the middle one next. Leave the braces in place until ready to remove the side front panels.
If you are going to paint, you must completely strip the aluminum and have no pits. The pits will cause powder coat, etc to "pop" and then cause problems.
Mine is anodized aluminum and I am cleaning, bead blasting, having re-anodized and reinstalling. Hope this help. Americanmarine.com was the original manufacturer of my windshield and frame.

[1bayouboy]

I plan on awlgriping mine....starting with the alodine, milstd primer, high build, etc. It's just the thing to work on in the winter.

[jobu]

Thanks guys, very helpful. I assume that there are screws going up from under the gunnel and cabin into the windsheild...I am wondering if it would be easier to just lightly scuff and paint over what's there with a brush and some aluminum paint. The inside is in good shape....?

[1bayouboy]

Yep.....they look more like a carraige bolts. They're in slots in the bottom of the window frames and stick down through the gunnel and the bow cap with nuts on the underside. Three in the center piece, 2-3 on each front side and on the long sides. Once the nuts are off the long sides, lift them up and back following the angle of the front sides. They have 3/4 tubes that slide down over a round piece thats on the end of the front side panels.



Some shots of it coming apart....

[htillman]

Called T-bolts by American Marine, you can probably fab them. I have removed all the glass from the frames and am planning on replacing all the gaskets. You can call American Marine and they are very helpful. Told me he still has the jibs for the frames, about $2,500 - $3,000 for a replacement windshield.

[jobu]

Yeah...I'm glad I asked. Maybe my windsheld isn't so bad after all. Thanks for the how to photos. My list of projects on this puppy is getting alot longer. My first is to do the dash/helm over with new gauges and switches. Then I need to tackle a transome rebuild topside awlgrip and bracket mount. So if we have a decent spring weather wise maybe I will remove the windsheild and do it right. I have been to the mfg's site and will probably order the gasket kit so I can just strip and repaint in place. Then plan on an overhaul later down the road.
Thanks guys for everything, that was valuable information,
Joe

[Old'sCool]

There is a shop in Scummerville that could powder coat that frame.

[1bayouboy]

Hey jobu...what manufacter's site is that for the kit???

[jobu]

I didn't actually see a 'kit' but it is a good site and I'm sure if you email them a request for info they will respond. If they are the original mfg (I would assume there is nothing special about a Seacraft frame vs anyone elses') they should stock the gasket...probably comes in a 50'-100'roll here is their address
http://www.americanmarine.com/
joe