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 Post subject: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 7:52 pm 
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Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:11 am
Posts: 47
Location: Slippery Rock, PA
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!


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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:45 pm 
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Site Rank - Old Salt

Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 am
Posts: 1807
Location: Terrigal NSW, Australia
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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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:01 am 
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Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:11 am
Posts: 47
Location: Slippery Rock, PA
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. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:42 am 
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Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:18 am
Posts: 3058
Location: Sarasota,Key West FL
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


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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:20 pm 
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Site Rank - Captain

Joined: Thu Jun 05, 2008 10:11 am
Posts: 47
Location: Slippery Rock, PA
Good idea! The electrical tape comes in cool colors also! That could be fun!


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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:40 pm 
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Joined: Wed May 11, 2011 5:41 pm
Posts: 43
Location: Austin, TX
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.

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2009 AI (sold)
Lake Travis, Ladybird Lake, Rockport/Aransas/Padre Island
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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:25 am 
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Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:53 am
Posts: 297
Location: Palm City, Florida
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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Ezra Appel
Palm City, Florida
2014 Tandem Island


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 Post subject: Re: Painting Aka bars
PostPosted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:33 pm 
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Joined: Fri May 08, 2009 5:06 am
Posts: 1701
Location: Lake Macquarie NSW AUSTRALIA
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.


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