Hobie Cat Forums

Has anyone painted their Aka bars and supports? Mine are looking pretty bad after a couple years of sailing in salt water. Is there any special paint or preparation needed?
Thanks!

Yeah, I painted mine last year. First I sanded them lightly, then sprayed on etch primer, then Solagard exterior paint.
Result - they looked great for about three outings. Now they're as bad as ever.
I'm thinking about trying again with paving paint - hopefully more resistant to abrasion.

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Thanks! I guess if we want the bars to look great, we just let the Island sit......NOT!!!! I thought mine were from the salt water, but may-be it is just use. I do use it a bit.

When I first got my TI I noticed that the AKA bars we getting scratched up pretty quickly (they were painted on pre 2011 models vs anodizing). I found that wrapping them with 3M electical tape (like you would wrap the handlebars on a 10 speed bike) really helps the AKA's from getting beat up. When the electrical tape starts to look bad you just remove and put on new tape (I'm still on my first set, over a year and 100+ outings). Cheap and easy to do.
Bob

Good idea! The electrical tape comes in cool colors also! That could be fun!

I just bought a used 2009 AI. The previous owner had applied the material used for spray-on pickup truck bed liner. Seems to be holding up well, and it is a little grippy too. Although this can be done professionally, I believe spray cans are available, and are what he used.

Janetfred,
The area that was getting the most abuse on my TI was along the top of the rear Crossbar. I put a length of Velcro Tape using just the softer/material side, because that's where I was always laying my mirage drives and subsequently causing scratches. You can see a closer image of what I'm talking about in my last picture of this post where I'm showing my Old Man Rope. viewtopic.php?f=69&t=35813

For minor scratches I use a Black Touch-Up Paint that I purchased at a auto parts store. It's very handy for this purpose because it comes with it's own small brush.

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Sun E Sailor
Ezra Appel
Palm City, Florida
2010 Tandem Island

Hi Janet and Fred. Here is a post done a while back that may be of interest.

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=28740&p=116664&hilit=aka+paint#p116664

My coating using Glyptal held up pretty good and would do it again if required. I have now sold that AI so I hope it stays good for the next owner.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.