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Old 19-07-2014, 15:54   #1
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Pitted spreader ends

Should I just sand and paint over or replace? The attached picture shows its condition.

I'm looking at eventually refinishing the mast, boom and spreaders anyway but I wasn't sure of the ends.

I was going to use the same methods used by Drake on his boat Paragon. I'm not likely going to start on this project soon due to other obligations so just looking for ideas.

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Old 19-07-2014, 17:33   #2
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Hard to tell until it's cleaned up.

OTOH - How much is your rig replacement gonna cost if you fail a shroud...
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Old 22-07-2014, 15:46   #3
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Rhap,
It's destroyed by corrosion. Replace. Good luck and good sailing.
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Old 22-07-2014, 16:02   #4
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Its not so bad , if you dont found cracks after striping the paint and the corrosion , good idea to soda blast or fine sand blast the tips and see if there is cracks, the load its in compression , if you feel better Zspar and sparcraft sell spreader end tips , you just need to know if the spreader profile its the same for this end tips, they are inserted inside of the spreader troughbolted with a screw , if not, just blast the corrosion and epoxy primer and topcoat will do the trick..
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Old 22-07-2014, 16:26   #5
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

They don't look any worse then ours did before we repainted our mast. I would just strip, zinc chromate, and paint. It will be easier to see how much pitting their actually is after you clean off the corrosion and paint, but it honestly doesn't look that bad to me.
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Old 22-07-2014, 16:58   #6
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Yeah, on second thought, Rhap . . . they should be fine. Just sand 'em nice, paint 'em pretty like the boys said and they'll be fine. . . they're really not that important, you know . . . they only hold up your mast. Good luck, good sailing and may your spreader ends be the shiniest ones in the marina! P.S. And to the thrifty sage pundits with the above advice . . . wow!
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Old 22-07-2014, 17:13   #7
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Well - honestly those tips look like they have been repaired before. As my welding instructor says, "That looks like bird **** on a branch"

Clean the tips and post another photo.
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Old 22-07-2014, 17:38   #8
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Quote:
Originally Posted by rognvald View Post
Yeah, on second thought, Rhap . . . they should be fine. Just sand 'em nice, paint 'em pretty like the boys said and they'll be fine. . . they're really not that important, you know . . . they only hold up your mast. Good luck, good sailing and may your spreader ends be the shiniest ones in the marina! P.S. And to the thrifty sage pundits with the above advice . . . wow!
The spreader ends are a solid chunk of aluminum welded into the spreader tube. It would take a lot more then surface corrosion to structurally compromise that pice. I suggested zinc chromate and painting to protect the aluminum from further corrosion as the rig is already painted and anodizing is not practical, not as a strictly cosmetic fix. In my opinion it should be addressed but replacement is over kill. Its not like I know anything about this, I only work as a rigger. I do on average 2 rigging inspections a week and work under someone who has been in the industry for over 25 years. I see this type of AL corrosion on spreader tips on almost every rig that is painted and over 10 years old. I wish that more owners were paranoid enough to replace at the first sign of bubbling paint, it would sure help out the cursing kitty. I already have a hard enough time convincing the average boater to pull the rust stained chainplates on there 20 year old rigs.
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Old 22-07-2014, 18:14   #9
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

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Originally Posted by HansSolo View Post
it would sure help out the cursing kitty.
My cursing kitty is replenished every time I work on the boat...
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Old 23-07-2014, 07:28   #10
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

There are many configurations for spreader ends. Not all are welded into the tube. Some, like the Isomat, fit neatly into the spreader end and are held in place by a torque screw. The critical question is are you willing to compromise the structural integrity of your boat and suffer a possible dismasting to save a few dollars on spreader ends on a 20 plus year old boat. Corrosion of metals does not only occur on the surface, but many times the greater corrosion is beneath the surface and invisible to the eye. This discussion is important since we have seen those, in the past, who have undertaken unsuccessful ventures into the open ocean with vessels that have not been properly prepared in critical structural areas but are resplendent with multi-varied electronic gadgetry. There is no substitute for a structurally sound boat and there is no justification or excuse to believe you are saving money on an important structural component that can easily and inexpensively be replaced to insure your personal safety and those who sail with you. I say this with all due respect to the above respondents and as sound, experience-based advice for the OP. Good luck and good sailing.
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Old 23-07-2014, 07:40   #11
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

If you can rebuild, do so.

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Old 23-07-2014, 09:06   #12
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Thanks for the comments.

I'll try sanding it down first to see how it looks afterwards. Ex-Calif, I'll post pictures after sanding it down good.
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Old 03-08-2014, 14:54   #13
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

I sanded part of one spreader. Attached is a before and after picture. There are a few spots that have a bit more pits in it but overall, it's looking ok so far.

Thanks for the suggestions. Like mentioned, it doesn't seem as bad as it looks.
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Old 03-08-2014, 15:23   #14
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

They look fine to me, just be sure before to prime coating to acid brush all the pitting and etch prime as soon the alu is bright clean, use tef gel and plastic washers in this 2 holes whatever is atached there..Cheers.
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Old 03-08-2014, 15:34   #15
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Re: Pitted spreader ends

Mounted to the holes are for loops used for side/flag halyards.

I've seen mentioned a couple places of using Alumiprep, Alodine and Zinc Chromate primer to prep the surface for regular primer and topcoat. I'll likely go that route as well.
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