The surface would need to be scratch- and abrasion-resistant. The buildup of dirty surface deposits can provide sites for corrosion, particularly if there is associated acidity. A few years later, I was managing a boatyard where painting aluminum spars was common. Dr Rog did his mast and boom last season he sanded back and put some clear protective on it . It won’t make a pitted mast look any better cosmetically and must be done by professionals. Powder coating is also an option in locations with powder coaters with large (long) enough ovens. Anodized aluminum is extremely durable, as the anodizing process helps to harden and coat the metal. If you paint a raw aluminum part it is helpful to pre etch it a little bit. Classic Plastic: O’Day 27. I've done it successfully on two masts and I felt the results were worth the effort and expense. It doesn't matter what you do to get the surface bare, chemically or mechanically, because it immediately begins to reform oxide to protect itself. Our product comes in a concentrated formula so a small amount provides a lot of restoration and polishing. When a HA item flexes the anodized layer cracks (from being more brittle) and this can be carried down into the base aluminum. If you are cleaning an aluminum pot or pan, rinse the pan under a strong jet of water. Remove fittings,prep,etch,hibuild epoxy primer sanded lightly smooth and then Industrial imron which was about 1/5 the price of so called 'marine' Imron and used for external seaside steelwork in the Florida sun so well spec'd for the job. Thinking about painting my carbon mast on my 2000 Inter 20. Aluminum masts can also be found in a black or clear-anodized finish, which is preferred due to its durability, but may not always be available. When I was a teenager we painted the (anodized) mast on my dad's boat with Awlgrip. Ive tried to read every old post on painting aluminum mast. 3M™ Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish revives the appearance of aluminum throughout boats by aggressively removing oxidation and stains. I manage finishing operations for my company, and in our product line we have an aluminum tube being used as an extension for a carbon mast. Dont think you can buy that any more . " Anodized aluminum is a specific type of metal, used for items in the home and on vehicles. STEP 2: Sand the metal surface in a two-stage process. Used in one of the world's tallest buildings - the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. Hard anodized bicycle rims were popular in the 80s but would crack and die much earlier in service than raw or clear anodized … 09-18-2007, 09:21 AM #2 Read somewhere that you shouldn't paint a carbon mast a dark color because the heat from sitting in the sun may cause issues with the carbon fiber. When we painted our (clear) anodized mast we sanded to bare metal, mild acid wash and primed and painted with Awlgrip, a pricey 2 part polyurethane paint. Use this product to restore the beauty and pride of ownership in your boat. Next, you’ll need to sand the aluminum surface to further help your paint job stick. On the last boat I (!) The result is a transformed aluminum surface that looks great and can stand up to nearly anything…literally. Cast aluminum is used for furniture, cars and other metal objects that … Contrary to what many people believe, aluminum actually can rust. To clean anodized aluminum, start by dampening a rag with soapy water and using it to wipe the metal. Anodizing aluminum builds up a thicker layer of protective aluminum oxide. Mast Extrusions and Fittings Boom Extrusions and Fittings Round Tubing Sailboat Hardware and Accessories Standing Rigging and Rigging Kits Pricing and Terms Abrasive Waterjet Technology Company and Contact Information There is no method for re-anodizing, short of stripping your mast of all harware and rigging. It clear anodized. For particularly dirty areas, use a scrubby sponge instead of a rag. Corrosion resistance is good; however, the parts should be kept clean. Sometimes, one will see aluminum doors installed in a mill finish to be painted at the job site. If your mast is a natural silver aluminum color, it is probably anodized. And, it does so while providing options for color and design. All Sections are extruded of 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy, unless otherwise noted. Restoring the pieces is a process that involves harsh chemicals, but refinishing the pieces is a … Some rub marks on an anodized surface can be removed with a mild abrasive pad such as the Scotch-Brite pad prior to touch up painting. In that case put an insulator between the part and mast. The painting process I used followed LeFiell's protocol (LeFiell was a mast manufacturer). Anodizing transforms an aluminum surface, hardening and strengthening the outer layer against external stressors. How to Touch Up Painted Aluminum. ... please specify boat model and year, including LOA, spar finish (clear anodized, painted, or raw), and which Spar Section you are replacing (see Kenyon Spar Sections). This is always a mistake. Anodized aluminum extrusions can fade and oxidize. .....except in places where the thin coating has been gouged away. Sailing Totem: Engine Heartache—Where DIY Diagnosis Ends. Painting an aluminum is a adding another nightmare to boat maintenance.The corroded parts will self protect by oxidizing unless it's caused by dissimilar metal contact. The other posts suggested oven cleaner to remove the anodize??? This will produce quite a number if ideas on resolving your problem and probably give you a couple of days reading - for what its worth. Sailboats. Do a search on the web for "how to clean anodized aluminum mast" or "cleaning anodized aluminum" and then try the search again using the same tags as above but put "how to" in front of it. Bare aluminum is highly reactive with air. 2. The anodizing (black) has completely worn off in places and is almost see through in others (more than 50% of the mast). That it is a dielectric, is why your anodized aluminum mast will resist galvanic corrossion. I would think if you have existing paint that … If you are cleaning aluminum wheels or house siding, use a damp cloth to wipe the aluminum or a hose to it with water. By Steve D'Antonio. I have purchased an older sailboat with anodized aluminum spars that need attention. Some say that moisture under a paint scratch will corrode the aluminum much faster than bare aluminum. On the other hand, painting aluminum framing materials above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront. Painting over an old anodized aluminum mast 2007. Rinse the aluminum surface. Do you prime and paint prior to attaching … Painting an aluminum mast Would it be best to start with the bare satin finish (6063 alloy), prime and then paint, or would it be best to get a powder coated or anodized finish and apply paint that? Anodized Aluminum: Protects satellites from the harsh environment of space. The anodized surface is aluminum oxide, which is generally harder than the sandpaper. Specializing in high-quality aluminum spars for your boat. My masts are on my list this winter ( ketch ) and there old anodized masts and booms. No special primers or anything like that normally associated with painting aluminum is required. This coating must be removed before you can paint an Airstream trailer. Powder-Coated or painted aluminum window frames will also need to be restored because they fade and chalk. If it was me, wouldn't add the headache of paint. Cast aluminum is a denser form of aluminum that has some of the properties of aluminum and some of the properties of light-weight aluminum. Scotchbrite to roughen up the surface a bit? Anothe suggested Aluminum cleaner/etching chemical before painting? Leery of experiencing the same sort of failure, I began reviewing old spars and other painted aluminum hardware. Allow the aluminum to air-dry completely. Anodized aluminum is very suitable for applications involving exposure to sea water and is routinely used for parts such as masts. Proper preparation is a consistent theme but I have a few questions: 1. and when its scratched and when he feelings like it he just touches it up. The current color is stock "off white" which clashes a bit with white sales. Hi my name is Kevin. If your mast is black then just sand the high spots smooth and paint it, if it's clear hard anodized then sand it and use a clear coat. Make sure to scrub in the direction of the metal's grain to avoid leaving scratch marks. All we really did for prep was a gentle wet sanding followed with a TSP wash, then followed the directions on the Awlgrip bottle. Anodized aluminum can get ugly pits from salt corrosion if located near the ocean. More How To. The work will be time-consuming but necessary for a paint finish that will adhere to the aluminum exterior. Aluminum spars are also most often painted, typically in either black, or some shade of white/cream. Dr Rogs masts were not anodized" My mate on a Walker H28 just used house white enamel. What is the best way to paint it? 2 pack the way to go. ... as there are variations. Whos got an old mast paint job in good condition and how did you do it? It worked out very well, but as mentioned is not cheap and develops dangerous fumes requiring special protective equipment for those mixing as well as the sprayer. Looking at Awlgrip product. We have been painting this tube with white paint, but are having problems with the paint’s durability, as it is chipping. Anodizing is the best possible surface for paint adhesion. was allowed to spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck . March 20, 2013. Unfortunately, once the anodized coating is compromised, corrosion will take place. Even new anodized aluminum can be ruined by stucco or mortar on new buildings. A painted mast will get scratched and it will need to be repainted. Anodizing’s superior abrasion resistance means it will outlast paint on a door stile, kick-plate or push/pull bar. Part Number. Sanding of anodized material that is going to be touched up is not recommended. However, there are enough maintenance items aboard than to need another, particularly one that requires stepping the mast and removing all the rigging. Painting aluminum properly is an involved project with some of the early steps under time constraints. The electrolytic coating is only a few ten thousadths of of an inch thick. Another mast finishing option is to have the mast re-anodized. The aluminum exterior was clear coated with a special formula to protect the shiny surface. Would like to go with a darker color. Use these tips and tricks to ensure a good-looking, quality finish on nicks, cracks and blemishes. I did a search and got a couple ideas and was wondering what the best combination would be? Latest. Anodized finishes have made aluminum one of the most respected and widely used materials today in the production of thousands of consumer, commercial and industrial products. A painted mast is gorgeous. In your own home, you may have anodized aluminum windows or even pans made from the material. Hard anodizing a mast seems like a really bad idea. People. Have a read HERE to see what anodizing is all about. Begin the process of cleaning oxidized aluminum by rinsing the aluminum to remove surface dust or debris. A short explanation/demonstration of preparing bare aluminum using acid and conversion coating techniques in preparation for painting an aircraft skin. My modifications/additions are in red.