Mast refinish

[alexanick]

The mast on my Cal 29 appears to have been previously painted as it now shows a lot of nicks, scratches and worn areas. After sanding it down to bare aluminum, does it really need to be re-finished ( clear coat or re-painted) in any way?

[Benz]

It does not need any coating. Often what paint will do is trap water underneath and foster corrosion. I too am sanding all paint off my mast this winter and will not recoat it.

Now is a good time to reapply tef-gel or blue loc-tite any stainless fasteners that might be in there.
Ben
zartmancruising dot com

[siamese]

Masts come the manufacturer with either an anodized finish or paint. Bare aluminum is going to oxidize.

[rbk]

Originally Posted by siamese

Masts come the manufacturer with either an anodized finish or paint. Bare aluminum is going to oxidize.

x2 if painted should be re-painted or anodised. The later is more expensive but chances are it'll be the last time you have to do it. When corrosion sets in aluminium pretty much turn into an equivalent of sandstone. My old aluminium mast base came out in pieces...

[44'cruisingcat]

Nyalic is good. Very easy to apply, just wipe on with a rag, lasts for years.

[delmarrey]

To anodize a mast takes total emersion in a pickling chemical. So only manufacturers or aircraft wing assemblers would be able to do that. Once the coating is gone aluminum will create its own coating, which is powder like. As long as it gets rinsed it will last.

The problem being is when one mixes other metals (SS or bronze), like fasteners. Adding saltwater starts the electrolysis where they connect. This is where Tuf-Gel helps to slow the process. Anything attached to the mast should have turf-gel under it.

Painting aluminum takes good preparation with the proper undercoat e.g. Interlux Primocon. Then a good two part outer coat. The object is to keep the halyards from slapping the mast while at anchor/dock. Also you need to sand the aluminum down to clean metal, no powder. You can paint over anodize as long as it's sanded.


Nyalic sounds like a good idea but the mast should be sanded totally clean of any left over anodize, otherwise it would be multicolors.

[44'cruisingcat]

If the mast is sanded back to clean shiny aluminum, Nyalic is the way to go, IMO.

To paint with polyurethane involves chromate primers and huge hassle.

Anodising is great , but it's far from a DIY option.

Nyalic is almost unbelievably easy, is tough and lasts well. Equally easy to recoat when/if needed. Ours is 7 years old and still looks like new.