Hard top gutter, paint first? (1 Viewer)

[Scota4570]

My fiberglass top is primed. The gutter is primed. Should I paint both then assemble? OR, paint after, like the factory? OR, paint before and after to cover the gutter sealant? I was going to use a white sealant that is similar in color to the paint. I'm good with a caulk gun and make a neat job.

 

[Skreddy]

I’d rivet them back together, seam sealer in the gutter, then paint as an assembly.

 

[sogncab]

I'd prime and seal the gutter before attaching it to the roof. Then paint the assembly.

I don't think painting the gutter first gains you anything, but I don't think it'll hurt anything either

 

[Scota4570]

My thought is that the reason the gutter was a rusty mess is that the factory never painted the inside. I am using single phase paint, not clear coat. IT will provide more rust protection than just primer. So.... maybe when I am 100 years dead it will have less rust? : )

I'm shopping clecos , any ones to avoid on amazon?

 

[Skreddy]

I have a ton of these: Allstar Performance ALL18223 1/8"... Amazon product ASIN B003BZQ6SQ
They work fine. I’ve used real (older) clecos and they were a little smoother but they were also in a fab shop and had been used for decades so who knows.

Edit: these clecos are slightly larger than the factory rivet I believe. I drilled all mine out and used a slightly larger rivet but can’t remember if I used 1/8” or 5/32” (leaning toward I used 5/32”).

 

[Scota4570]

The holes in my top and gutter are about 0.136". My rivets are 0.125". I got tiny stainless washers for the rivets, just like factory. I think that the 1/8 clecos will work in those holes, hopefully.

Oh my. I just checked the washers are a couple of thousands smaller that the rivet shanks. I made a tool to push them on but it is an additional step. Nothing goes smoothly.