Using Vinyl Instead of Re-AnodizingBy Bob ArbigeIt's a waste of time money to try and recoat the aluminum. Hobies are for sailing, not for show and once you paint it, you'll worry about scratching the finish and you'll spend more time worrying about the finish than sailing. I have never seen a coating, except the original anodizing, that will take the abuse that comes with rigging and sailing a Hobie. There is one solution that I have seen used and it will stand up better that paint and that is vinyl decal material. It is applied like decals using water and a squeegee but it will gouge from contact with the blocks, rigging, mast, etc. so it will have to be changed occasionally to keep up the appearance, if that's what you're after. Bob Arbige |
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