The anodized surface is aluminum oxide, which is generally harder than the sandpaper. The result is a transformed aluminum surface that looks great and can stand up to nearly anything…literally. 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. 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. Corrosion resistance is good; however, the parts should be kept clean. 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 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. Begin the process of cleaning oxidized aluminum by rinsing the aluminum to remove surface dust or debris. The surface would need to be scratch- and abrasion-resistant. 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. How to Touch Up Painted Aluminum. The current color is stock "off white" which clashes a bit with white sales. A short explanation/demonstration of preparing bare aluminum using acid and conversion coating techniques in preparation for painting an aircraft skin. Rinse the aluminum surface. It clear anodized. No special primers or anything like that normally associated with painting aluminum is required. Sometimes, one will see aluminum doors installed in a mill finish to be painted at the job site. Whos got an old mast paint job in good condition and how did you do it? I would think if you have existing paint that … It won’t make a pitted mast look any better cosmetically and must be done by professionals. Another mast finishing option is to have the mast re-anodized. 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. Use this product to restore the beauty and pride of ownership in your boat. Anodized aluminum is a specific type of metal, used for items in the home and on vehicles. 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? 2 pack the way to go. Anodizing’s superior abrasion resistance means it will outlast paint on a door stile, kick-plate or push/pull bar. All Sections are extruded of 6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy, unless otherwise noted. Anodizing is the best possible surface for paint adhesion. Used in one of the world's tallest buildings - the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois. The electrolytic coating is only a few ten thousadths of of an inch thick. Dr Rogs masts were not anodized" My mate on a Walker H28 just used house white enamel. People. By Steve D'Antonio. Some say that moisture under a paint scratch will corrode the aluminum much faster than bare aluminum. Painting aluminum properly is an involved project with some of the early steps under time constraints. However, there are enough maintenance items aboard than to need another, particularly one that requires stepping the mast and removing all the rigging. Hard anodized bicycle rims were popular in the 80s but would crack and die much earlier in service than raw or clear anodized … Cast aluminum is used for furniture, cars and other metal objects that … 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. I've done it successfully on two masts and I felt the results were worth the effort and expense. I have purchased an older sailboat with anodized aluminum spars that need attention. 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. Anodized aluminum is very suitable for applications involving exposure to sea water and is routinely used for parts such as masts. The other posts suggested oven cleaner to remove the anodize??? Sailing Totem: Engine Heartache—Where DIY Diagnosis Ends. Looking at Awlgrip product. And, it does so while providing options for color and design. Anodizing aluminum builds up a thicker layer of protective aluminum oxide. Latest. 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. Anodizing transforms an aluminum surface, hardening and strengthening the outer layer against external stressors. More How To. 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. Specializing in high-quality aluminum spars for your boat. A painted mast is gorgeous. Unfortunately, once the anodized coating is compromised, corrosion will take place. ... as there are variations. 3M™ Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish revives the appearance of aluminum throughout boats by aggressively removing oxidation and stains. The painting process I used followed LeFiell's protocol (LeFiell was a mast manufacturer). Have a read HERE to see what anodizing is all about. On the other hand, painting aluminum framing materials above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront. Classic Plastic: O’Day 27. Contrary to what many people believe, aluminum actually can rust. My masts are on my list this winter ( ketch ) and there old anodized masts and booms. Proper preparation is a consistent theme but I have a few questions: 1. Our product comes in a concentrated formula so a small amount provides a lot of restoration and polishing. Aluminum spars are also most often painted, typically in either black, or some shade of white/cream. For particularly dirty areas, use a scrubby sponge instead of a rag. Leery of experiencing the same sort of failure, I began reviewing old spars and other painted aluminum hardware. A painted mast will get scratched and it will need to be repainted. Sanding of anodized material that is going to be touched up is not recommended. Powder coating is also an option in locations with powder coaters with large (long) enough ovens. Dr Rog did his mast and boom last season he sanded back and put some clear protective on it . 2. What is the best way to paint it? In your own home, you may have anodized aluminum windows or even pans made from the material. The buildup of dirty surface deposits can provide sites for corrosion, particularly if there is associated acidity. Anodized aluminum is extremely durable, as the anodizing process helps to harden and coat the metal. On the last boat I (!) was allowed to spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck . If you are cleaning an aluminum pot or pan, rinse the pan under a strong jet of water. If it was me, wouldn't add the headache of paint. If you paint a raw aluminum part it is helpful to pre etch it a little bit. Anothe suggested Aluminum cleaner/etching chemical before painting? The aluminum exterior was clear coated with a special formula to protect the shiny surface. Anodized Aluminum: Protects satellites from the harsh environment of space. Next, you’ll need to sand the aluminum surface to further help your paint job stick. ... 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). STEP 2: Sand the metal surface in a two-stage process. Even new anodized aluminum can be ruined by stucco or mortar on new buildings. 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. .....except in places where the thin coating has been gouged away. 09-18-2007, 09:21 AM #2 My modifications/additions are in red. 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. Painting over an old anodized aluminum mast 2007. Ive tried to read every old post on painting aluminum mast. Part Number. This is always a mistake. Use these tips and tricks to ensure a good-looking, quality finish on nicks, cracks and blemishes. Parts such as masts also most often painted, typically in either black, or some shade of white/cream hand. Once the anodized surface is aluminum oxide so a small amount provides a lot restoration... Bit with white sales surface that looks great and can stand up to nearly anything…literally transformed aluminum surface hardening. 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