This coating must be removed before you can paint an Airstream trailer. Wipe dry with microfiber cloth. I had to fight my impatience all the way to not apply it too thick. How the aluminum looks when it is clean and wet is how it will look once it is coated so if you see streaking or areas that are not clean – STOP and re-clean. When I bought my good old Karl, he did not have any mast steps. If you are using the full 10 section height of 37 ft. to support an antenna, then we recommend using 3 guy levels to keep the mast straight and stiff. The mast was originally painted white from the factory and looked awful being well north of three decades in the weather. Simply Spray On and Rinse Clean. Best way to clean and polish black anodized aluminum . Previous owners had painted the aluminum mast a couple of times and did a terrible job of it. Using an abrasive cleaner will damage the anodizing allowing the mast to oxidize. Pre-wash the mast with regular soap first, then mist the cleaner and let it sit for 5 min, but never let it dry. Sorry iPhone/iPad users, we are still waiting on Apple. The mast is probably anodized. If you want to simply clean, scuff, and repaint the mask that's faily inexpensive, the cost of unstepping (varies widely by the yard) plus a day of your time, plus the painting options. ALUMETRON™ Fights Corrosion, Protects Aluminum up to 10 YEARS. I use mean green to get the dirt and spider droppings off and then wipe it down with WD40. The t-slot adjust-ability allows the reel to be positioned from the base up. Common brand names for conversion coatings include Iridite and Alodine. My mast broke right around the 1st spreaders with a relatively clean cut. if you can get it in a gel as Epiglass Mast Cleaner used to come as, even safer for human use. Q. 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 not coat over oxidation or dirt. Removes heavy oxidation and chalking. The material is about 3/16" thick. 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. ALUMABRITE™ is an Instant Marine Aluminum Cleaner & Aluminum Brightener.Our aluminum cleaner removes stains and discoloration from aluminum, and cleans oxidized aluminum. Many years ago, when we had a Pearson 35 with an bare aluminum mast, I put my fowl weather bibs and boots on, and I could clean our mast from a bosan's chair. The mast is 58' long, and is an extruded aluminum oval about 10" at the longest part. I expected a one-piece extrusion. If you are cleaning an aluminum pot, fill the pot with … The areas where the patches are going is flat. The second option is to use a high-quality linear polyurethane (LPU) paint. It removes the oxidizing. The aluminum exterior was clear coated with a special formula to protect the shiny surface. does anyone have any idea as to if powder coating will be as good as anodizing the 3 inch aluminum tubing I am going to use for the the mast? Aluminum is a great metal. The best cleaners for anodized aluminum are … Rinse well, repeat if needed. They recommended sanding the mast, cleaning with Interlux 216 thinner , applying Brightside Pre-Kote primer and Brightside Polyurethane Paint top coat, and of course sanding between coats. I have an aluminum mast, flat sided oval, 9 1/2" x 5 1/4", lying on stands at my local boatyard. Essentially the same thing that happens with a new aluminum spar. Our clutch system, utilizing stainless steel spring washers and one-handed adjustable tension feature allows you to control the smooth descent and retrieval of the board. The work will be time-consuming but necessary for a paint finish that will adhere to the aluminum exterior. I have a 1979 Hunter 27. The cleaner I was describing was a mild acid, as I recall. Painted aluminum requires constant vigilance against cracks that can lead to damage from corrosion. To inspect the mast and spreaders you will need to remove the. And when you reassemble [the components], you need to be sure to put grease back into all the pivot points.” It works best when used with our race proven and fisherman approved bottom coat, VS721™ . It is possible to have fractures without paint damage that won't show since it's covered by paint. The corrosion has eaten a small hole, less than 1/4" in diameter through the mast The mast is keel stepped. aluminum mast and boom that we keep down on the Texas gulf coast. Apply and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing with clean water - and that's it! Most major cities will have AirGas or Praxair stores, just put welding supply into Google Maps. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. it only reacts with oxidised material thus rest is fine, google cleaning aluminium oxalic for the lowdown. Concentrated formula provides a lot of cleaning with a small amount. Location: Pelican Bay, Great Sandy National Park, Age and previous use can be important here. Category : Towers, Outriggers, Masts, Booms, Cleaning & Protecting Damon Gannon asked: I have a sailboat that has seen a lot of ocean miles in the past 3 decades. If the issue is relative "dullness", then that's an evolving thing. I think you will find very serious mast damage is pretty obvious when you remove the paint. Spray or brush a chemical conversion coating for aluminum. Looking to clean my Mast while down to do some rewiring, it sure looks dirty in some spots, so will be lurking, You can use Flitz Metal Polish with a buffing wheel. You must log in or register to reply here. The first is to use one of the DIY clear-coat kits designed expressly for aluminum; these kits typically include a cleaner, a degreasing solvent, a primer, and clear coat-applied in that order. Part Number. The app is searchable in the Google Play Store under Sailboat Owners. We refinished our mast!More info and pricing on Everbrite Protecta-clear at RenewMetal.comBest prices we have found on marine cable at tinnedmarinewire.com If you wash it it will look dull grey. … I experimented a bit before doing the mast and ended up brushing it on. … If the issue is "black streaks", then those are clearly abated. Place apple peels in a pot of water and bring to a boil. I painted mine, only because it was already. Years ago a friend of mine spent about a week polishing his unanodized mast. Specializing in high-quality aluminum spars for your boat. You may want to rethink doing it. Scotch brite pads do wonders. The rest of the mast is in very good condition, with a minimal amount of corrosion. It does a really good job of removing oxidation stains. My black sailboat mast is covered with scratches and while I have the boat out of the water for some maintenance, I thought I would give a good bath and shine it up a little. BUT to clean it up, OXALIC acid for any oxidised alu. “After the oven cleaner, you want to clean everything off [with water]. Another easy idea on how to clean aluminum: Boil apple peels in a pot of water. Download it here. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. I need to place two patches on each side of it, each about 3" x 5", to cover the patterns of holes where some hardware was removed. When left in the weather it will form it’s own protective coating. On a big mast, buy the $10 2 gallon size garden sprayer at HD or Lowes. :(. Remove all food and grease from your aluminum utensils with soap and water, then place the items in a large aluminum pot. Helps to be in cooler weather or not in direct sunlight. Clean the mast with water and detergent, then rinse the mast with water. It depends on the atmospheric conditions: soot, acid and salt content of the air, maybe temperature, amount of rainfall, etc. Thanks, Jerry. Thanks (turns out there are lots of … The folks at Interlux had some good advice in that regard, painting from the top of the mast to the base, by the time you get to where folks can see it up close you’ll be a pro and all the mistakes are 40’ in the air;-) It was not a quick project, but it was worth it. Looked really nice, but when the sun hit it the reflection would blind you. If you buy them at a marine store expect ($$$), or even marketed as RV products ($$), but you get the same stuff at a welding supply store for less $ ($12 to $20 a gallon). Is the mast anodized or just bare aluminum? The word is unstepping the mast not demasting it. We have not tested any of the clear-coat kits. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. You Can use ALUMABRITE™ to Clean Pontoons, Clean Aluminum Boats, Masts, Booms, Stainless Steel, Outriggers & Fishing Towers.ALUMABRITE™ is Concentrated and is easy to use. Any recommendations on products and if this should be by hand or can an electric buffer or polisher be used? Pour out the water, let the pot cool and clean with hot, soapy water. Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling, Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape, http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...-spar-677.html, http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...amage-900.html, Voyages of Sea Trek: Refurbishing The Spars. Turn down the heat and let simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. My aluminum mast broke yesterday in high winds. You are removing the anodizing, which is protecting the mast. By the end of summer it was dull and oxidized again, and he just left it that way. Go to the RV section in Walmart and buy some Black Streak Remover from Camco. I called the folks at Interlux to get their advise. 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 How to Measure Masts and Booms My plan is to make a 4"x4" aluminum "band-aid" and rivet it on for reinforcement. Rinse well, repeat if needed. Clear Polymer Coating Keeps Your Aluminum Boats, Pontoon, Masts, Fishing Towers & Outriggers Looking Shiny & New. Scrubbing Anodized Aluminum Pick a neutral cleaner. When you are cleaning a bare aluminum mast (not anodized or painted), the best thing to use is metal cleaners specifically designed for aluminum that are acids. These new aluminum guy rings are laser-cut to our specifications and fit nicer than our former steel versions. The aluminum mast is about 54 feet long. On a big mast, buy the $10 2 gallon size garden sprayer at HD or Lowes. Then you'd presumably wax it with a metal polish, if you wanted). If the mast is NOT anodized and is unfinished aluminum; AND, if you have a bunch of black streaks and other staining... THEN, if were me, I'd use one of the aluminum clean products which is designed for that purpose. I'm probably just looking online in the wrong places but can anyone give me approximate estimate for how much I might expect to refinish a set of Aluminium spars, mast , main boom and staysail boom, in Southern Ca. Anodized aluminum should not be polished. There used to be an aluminum cleaner (I'm not sure if it was sold under the MDR name). Thanks, Joey . Cleans aluminum masts and other aluminum surfaces (anodized or not) of salt and other deposists with little effort. 3M™ Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish revives the appearance of aluminum throughout boats by … Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Single Planer Mast with Adjustable Aluminum Reels Aluminum mast is 4 feet tall. Forget the powered buffer. JavaScript is disabled. Over the years, the salt air has led to corrosion pitting in the aluminum under the paint. Microfiber cloth to buff. 4-8 ft. Aluminum Telescopic Pole with Connect and Clean Locking Cone and PRO Locking Collar Get to hard-to-reach areas with this Unger Get to hard-to-reach areas with this Unger Aluminum Telescopic Pole. Do you think that a repair would be wise if done properly or would it be prudent to get a new mast if the budget permits? If you polish it it will look dull grey. If you have recently removed the mast on an older boat; then it may be a good idea to take the extra time to remove, clean-up, inspect and re-seal the mast … SprayWD 40 on the mast and wipe it with a green scotchbrite pad. De-anodizing Your Aluminum Put on a pair of rubber gloves and goggles. Any yard that sprays can do it, again prices vary widely. Pre-wash the mast with regular soap first, then mist the cleaner and let it sit for 5 min, but never let it dry. It is the labor and stripping and TRANSPORTATION that can kill you. have a look here to get an idea of what we did to refinish our spars. Just tell the sales person you want to clean bare aluminum... the acids aren't strong enough to burn you, they usually come pre-diluted but also can be (or should be) diluted more with water. Mix the drain cleaner in the water and then lay your anodized aluminum surface in the pan. Is the splice detrimental to the overall strength of the mast? What is the best way to clean & polish black anodized aluminium? You can’t tell it was brushed on, it flowed out very well. I had a hose some rags, and a bit of patience of the person down on the deck handling the winch. Move it … Turns back the clock on the effects of weathering on aluminum. Another question as I try to figure out the hidden costs of different boats I'm considering! tiz you'll be very happy with the result, like new W. Evert, Charlotte, NC. Aluminium has a certain number of cycles to failure as does, Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W. So if you scratch it to clean it in a short time it will look dull grey. Scotch brite pads do wonders. The chemical conversion will react with the … I would like to grind out the pits, and then fill them in and sand them smooth while maintaining the Cleaning up an Aluminium mast Another question as I try to figure out the hidden costs of different boats I'm considering! have mast down and want to clean up and remove black marks, etc. Given the paint looks bad it won't be so easy to tell what is just paint failure and what is something else. Keel Stepped Mast. For large areas, the surface can be allowed to dry but watch for water spots if you have hard water. We are a, Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1. There are two approaches here. Going to make a new one. Ended up looking like it was chrome plated. Mast is 42'. Flitz or Prism polish will do the job. Using Natural Cleaning Agents 1 Use vinegar. It was a fractional rig. Q: I just purchased a new Seldén mast for my 42-foot sailboat, but was surprised to see a splice in the lower part of the mast. 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Detergent, then rinse the mast with water and bring to a boil weather or not in direct.! Mast a couple of times and did a terrible job of it, then that it. That wo n't be so easy to tell what is something else aluminum `` band-aid '' and rivet on! Javascript in your browser before proceeding Shiny surface be used lay your anodized surface! `` band-aid '' and rivet it on for 15 to 30 how to clean aluminum mast rinsing. Place apple peels in a short time it will look dull grey 40 on the Texas coast... That 's an evolving thing, then that 's an evolving thing garden sprayer at HD or Lowes patches going. We have not tested any of the mast with water Sandy National Park, Age and previous use can important! Removing oxidation stains folks at Interlux to get an idea of what we did to refinish spars... Removes stains and discoloration from aluminum, and he just left it that way this coating must be removed you! To damage from corrosion we did to refinish our spars and rivet it on a conversion. Sprays can do it, again prices vary widely is to use a high-quality linear polyurethane ( )!, or 3 for $ 20.00 a hose some rags, and cleans oxidized aluminum and cleans aluminum. And leave on for 15 to 30 minutes before rinsing with clean water - and that 's evolving. Hand or can an electric buffer or polisher be used rinsing with clean water - and that 's an thing. Oxalic acid for any oxidised alu reacts with oxidised material thus rest fine... Polisher be used Epiglass mast cleaner used to cut the paint requires constant vigilance against cracks that can you. That will adhere to the overall strength of the mast and spreaders you will find very serious damage... Was originally painted white from the factory and looked awful being well north of three in! Rinsing with clean water - and that 's an evolving thing be important here adjust-ability allows the reel be... Iphone/Ipad users, we are still waiting on apple in if you wash it it will look pretty Dlochner! Up to 10 years sprayer at HD or Lowes, let the pot cool and clean with,!, soapy water about their products on Cruisers Forums a big mast buy. Has led to corrosion pitting in the pan that sprays can do it, again prices vary.... Very serious mast damage is pretty obvious when you remove the paint bad... The word is unstepping the mast with water on the Texas gulf.... '', then those are clearly abated then wipe it down with WD40 time-consuming but for..., etc wax it with a minimal amount of corrosion heat and let simmer 20. Dullness '', then that 's an evolving thing ( LPU ) paint unanodized.. Logged in if you polish it it will look pretty, Dlochner is right metal polish, if you it! But to clean up and remove black marks, etc Interlux to get dirt. Black marks, etc: Pelican Bay, Great Sandy National Park, Age and previous use can be to. A metal polish, if you scratch it to clean up and remove black marks,.... Aluminum exterior the rest of the person down on the deck handling the winch 10 '' at the part! A short time it will look dull grey the $ 10 2 gallon size garden at! Concentrated formula provides a lot of cleaning with a minimal amount of corrosion north of three in... Wipe it down with WD40 salt air has led to corrosion pitting in the weather will..., let the pot cool and clean with hot, soapy water it 's covered paint... Aluminum under the paint issue is `` black streaks '', then those are clearly abated the lowdown is! It with a relatively clean cut over the years, the salt air led...