Scratched/hacked my console rail. Sand them out?

[BenL]

Upon taking off my windshield and putting it on, the boatmaker put the console rail so that one of them is right in line with the bolt for the windshield so I had to unscrew/screw, then slide the bolt past the rail to get it in and out and in the process I marred/scratched up my rail. Should I just sand it out? It won't buff out thats for sure. Here is a pic, I think it is just brushed aluminum tubing, what do I know?

[Garett]

If you could provide a pic of where the tube itself is welded to the bolt down flange I could tell you by the weld if it's aluminum or s.s.

[BenL]

It is definitely an aluminum rail, just don't know if it is brushed, anodized or whatever else, I think it is just brushed aluminum.

[Garett]

Sanding the scratch out will definitely work, no doubt about that, but it's how to achieve the same finish to the tube it currently has? Therefore my only concern here would be, would the cure be worse then the cause.

Is there any way you could get your hands on a small piece to experiment with? I don't imagine there is any place on that railing that you could experiment on without the end results ever showing, if there is practice there. By having a small piece of tubing to experiment with you could experiment on how to achieve the perfect matching finish with either sandpaper, brass bristle brush or possibly steel wool?


Now I know I've got several jeweler's eye pieces (5x, 10x, 15x) I'd look at the finish on the railing to see if there is any applied coating over the aluminum to protect it from oxidizing. If there is what type of finish do you apply that will match, lacquer? Again a sample piece would be a great help.

Sorry Ben, I haven’t been of much help here, that’s the best I’ve got......I’d just have to experiment.

[Kern O]

Ben: A bare aluminum rail on a console would be a really rare thing. They are usually made from anodized tubing and fittings. Sanding it will remove more anodize and make it corrode even faster. You may consider removing it and altering it a bit to clear the bolt head next time and then having it powdercoated white. White powdercoat works well on rails because they are a lot cooler in the sun.

[BenL]

Thanks all. I think I'll just leave it be for now, maybe coat it with more woody wax as the scratches/mauling is not noticeable by anyone but me. Now that I've got the windshield cut down, I'll not be taking the windshield off ever again. Thanks again.