Boat Rails

Ok guys I need a suggestions and advice.On my 1978 Mustang the back railings that wrap around the back of the boat and then go down to make the ladder.I took them off before I put the boat up for the season.My intention was to get them rechromed over the winter because the finish is wearing pretty thin.Well I went to the chrome shop today and he said he couldn't do them because is bath wasn't big enough for the railings.He said there is a longer process in chroming aluminum.Plus on top of that he was going to charge me $230.00 per railing.I felt like getting the grease out for my ass because I knew it was going to hurt when it was sliding in.Well needless to say I brought my railings back home with me.Now my question is there a aftermarket company that I can get these railings from?Also I was thinking about powdercoating them,but I not sure how that will hold up in the water over a period of time.Just curious wth what you guys have run into with my situation.Any comments would be helpful.

Well Pete I would question if a type I anodizing was ever done to them, my guess would be that they where just polished and that might be the best route to go, just get some eagle one never dull and go to town. Now for the attachment hardware those pieces might be chrome plated zinc but the rails and steps maybe not.

My guess was polished as well but I'm not certain.

You may have better luck finding an anodizer with a larger tank as they are typically dealing with larger parts than a plater.

My experience with chrome plating makes me think your $230 per railing is not that out of line. I had several pieces done last winter and it ain't easy on the wallet.

Never dull isn't going to work if it was anodized which it appears that it is, you can tell if it is if it is flaked or looks like a coat of varnish has been applied. There's a quality shop in Indy that does good work But I don't think thats going to help you any Brian being FLa like you are. it need's to be striped and cleaned and re anodized. Since it is clear you can not get a
type III anodize which is hard and last much longer, but if you want a little color contrast then the type III is the way to go. Your best bet might be to just purchase new new tubing bend it and buy new fittings/anchors as well you have pattern to go by and it might be a wash in price refinishing what you have vs. buying new and new might be a shade cheaper.

west marine should have it. I'll have to call me buddy and get the shop's name. i've never had any work done by them but they did work for us when I worked at Depuy. Give me a couple of days to get it.

79 I looked on West Marine's website and they didn't have the tubing.I went to Taco Metal's and they had the aluminum,but I don't think it was anodized.For that fact i could just buy that,polish itand put some sort of a clear coat on it to keep the polished look.Taco didn't have the fittings so I guess I could have them chromed at the local shop.But if you can I would still like the name of the place in Indy when you get a chance.

Yeah I did over look it 79,thanks it gives me another option.Just let me know when you.I just wonder how easy that will bend.I wonder if you could do that with a conduit bender?

Peter,I'm going to wait till Chris gives me the name of that place in Indy.Hopefully they can help me out.

Peter you would think there would bre some one that could do it in Cincinnati,but when I asked the guys at the chrome shop if they knew anyone else in town they just shook there heads no.I did find two places in Michigan that does that kind of work,but Indy is much closer.I will try to do some more searching though.

ummm Pete just because to list came up doesn't mean there are two company's if you look at the results they are both the same.

Thanks Chris!! I did notice that they were the same after I posted! I should have gone back and edited before you had the opportunity of pointing out my mistake!

I'm taking the rails over to the anodizer company that Peter found for me.They wanted to look at them and they said there turn around time was about a week and a half.Thats alot better than the 8 weeks at the chrome company.I will let you know how it works out.

Well I took the rails to the anodizer in town where I live and he really acted like he didn't want to touch them.He suggested buffing them down and clear coating the railings.Plus on top of that he said all the supports on the railings would have to come off,but since the tubing is bent he thought the supports would not make it around the bends.I'll try that myself later.I just wanted to see if they would do the railings before I completely take them all apart.I just kept getting the run around.