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