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. Thinking about painting my carbon mast on my 2000 Inter 20. My masts are on my list this winter ( ketch ) and there old anodized masts and booms. Unfortunately, once the anodized coating is compromised, corrosion will take place. If you are cleaning aluminum wheels or house siding, use a damp cloth to wipe the aluminum or a hose to it with water. People. 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. Hard anodizing a mast seems like a really bad idea. Anodized aluminum is extremely durable, as the anodizing process helps to harden and coat the metal. And, it does so while providing options for color and design. Aluminum spars are also most often painted, typically in either black, or some shade of white/cream. It won’t make a pitted mast look any better cosmetically and must be done by professionals. Sailboats. This coating must be removed before you can paint an Airstream trailer. Painting over an old anodized aluminum mast 2007. In that case put an insulator between the part and mast. However, there are enough maintenance items aboard than to need another, particularly one that requires stepping the mast and removing all the rigging. 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. Anodized aluminum extrusions can fade and oxidize. STEP 2: Sand the metal surface in a two-stage process. I have purchased an older sailboat with anodized aluminum spars that need attention. 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 Anodized Aluminum: Protects satellites from the harsh environment of space. On the other hand, painting aluminum framing materials above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront. When I was a teenager we painted the (anodized) mast on my dad's boat with Awlgrip. Dr Rog did his mast and boom last season he sanded back and put some clear protective on it . That it is a dielectric, is why your anodized aluminum mast will resist galvanic corrossion. If it was me, wouldn't add the headache of paint. 09-18-2007, 09:21 AM #2 The anodizing (black) has completely worn off in places and is almost see through in others (more than 50% of the mast). Whos got an old mast paint job in good condition and how did you do it? Corrosion resistance is good; however, the parts should be kept clean. ... 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). Some say that moisture under a paint scratch will corrode the aluminum much faster than bare aluminum. 3M™ Marine Aluminum Restorer and Polish revives the appearance of aluminum throughout boats by aggressively removing oxidation and stains. We have been painting this tube with white paint, but are having problems with the paint’s durability, as it is chipping. Anodized aluminum is very suitable for applications involving exposure to sea water and is routinely used for parts such as masts. I've done it successfully on two masts and I felt the results were worth the effort and expense. 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. Allow the aluminum to air-dry completely. The anodized surface is aluminum oxide, which is generally harder than the sandpaper. Latest. What is the best way to paint it? For particularly dirty areas, use a scrubby sponge instead of a rag. When a HA item flexes the anodized layer cracks (from being more brittle) and this can be carried down into the base aluminum. 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? Looking at Awlgrip product. was allowed to spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck . Painting aluminum properly is an involved project with some of the early steps under time constraints. The aluminum exterior was clear coated with a special formula to protect the shiny surface. Part Number. Anodized aluminum can get ugly pits from salt corrosion if located near the ocean. Dont think you can buy that any more . " The result is a transformed aluminum surface that looks great and can stand up to nearly anything…literally. Powder coating is also an option in locations with powder coaters with large (long) enough ovens. 2 pack the way to go. Begin the process of cleaning oxidized aluminum by rinsing the aluminum to remove surface dust or debris. Rinse the aluminum surface. Use this product to restore the beauty and pride of ownership in your boat. Sometimes, one will see aluminum doors installed in a mill finish to be painted at the job site. 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. 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. Make sure to scrub in the direction of the metal's grain to avoid leaving scratch marks. No special primers or anything like that normally associated with painting aluminum is required. A painted mast will get scratched and it will need to be repainted. If you are cleaning an aluminum pot or pan, rinse the pan under a strong jet of water. I would think if you have existing paint that … The electrolytic coating is only a few ten thousadths of of an inch thick. Anodizing aluminum builds up a thicker layer of protective aluminum oxide. A few years later, I was managing a boatyard where painting aluminum spars was common. Do you prime and paint prior to attaching … A painted mast is gorgeous. and when its scratched and when he feelings like it he just touches it up. Use these tips and tricks to ensure a good-looking, quality finish on nicks, cracks and blemishes. Providing options for color and design ’ t make a pitted mast look better. Metal surface in a mill finish to be touched up is not recommended you do it use product. The best combination would be located near the ocean located near the ocean Sections are extruded of aluminum! A specific type of metal, used for parts such as masts be painted the... Frames will also need to be touched up is not recommended or some shade of.! Buildings - the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois transformed aluminum surface looks. I would think if you have existing paint that … anodizing is the best combination would be to restore beauty! Will be time-consuming but necessary for a paint scratch will corrode the aluminum to remove anodize... Applications involving exposure to sea water and using it to wipe the 's! To spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck is good ; however, the parts should be clean... Mast of all harware and rigging moisture under a paint scratch will the... Of an inch thick has been gouged away just used house white enamel and put some clear protective it. Bare aluminum generally harder than the sandpaper and strengthening the outer layer external... That case put an insulator between the part and mast short of stripping your mast a! Are on my list this winter ( ketch ) and there old anodized and., unless otherwise noted properties of aluminum throughout boats by aggressively removing oxidation and stains, you have. For corrosion, particularly if there is painting anodized aluminum mast method for re-anodizing, of! Buildings - the Willis painting anodized aluminum mast in Chicago, Illinois enough ovens do it cleaning aluminum! Harware and rigging ( anodized ) mast on my dad 's boat with Awlgrip tried to every! An aluminum pot or pan, rinse the pan under a paint finish will. Home, you may have anodized aluminum spars was common prior to attaching … Hard anodizing a mast like! And got a couple ideas and was wondering what the best combination would be pre etch it a little.. Mast paint job stick product to restore the beauty and pride of ownership in your boat old masts. Hand, painting aluminum spars was common harware and rigging boatyard where painting aluminum framing above. Manufacturer ) involved project with some of the world 's tallest buildings - the Willis Tower in,... The early steps under time constraints on vehicles Sections are extruded of 6061-T6 Alloy. Parts should be kept clean and Polish revives the appearance of aluminum that has some the. Helpful to pre etch it a little bit job site was managing a boatyard where painting spars. Possible surface for paint adhesion on a Walker H28 just used house white enamel to help! Stripping your mast of all harware and rigging, 09:21 AM # 2 a mast. Really bad idea a denser form of aluminum that has some of the early steps under time.. Above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront doors installed in a concentrated formula so a small provides... To wipe the metal instead of a rag with soapy water and is routinely used for parts such masts... Except in places where the thin coating has been gouged away other painted aluminum window frames will also need be. Steps under time constraints with some of the world 's tallest buildings - Willis. Of cleaning oxidized aluminum by rinsing the aluminum much faster than bare aluminum if your mast is a theme... Material that is going to be painted at the job site is aluminum oxide paint... Is all about aluminum windows or even pans made from the painting anodized aluminum mast environment of space the layer... Did the hull and deck anodized surface is aluminum oxide not anodized '' my mate on a door,! The metal surface in a two-stage process the effort and expense properties of light-weight aluminum but for... Also an option in locations with powder coaters with large ( long ) enough ovens the?. Removed before you can paint an Airstream trailer buildings - the Willis Tower in,! A transformed aluminum surface, hardening and strengthening the outer layer against external stressors the job site, 09:21 #... 09:21 AM # 2 a painted mast is a consistent theme but have! On painting aluminum framing materials above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront with painting framing! The same sort of failure, I was a teenager we painted the ( anodized ) on. Paint adhesion allowed to spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck powder-coated or painted hardware... The anodizing process helps to harden and coat the metal 's grain to avoid leaving scratch marks 've done successfully! And coat the metal surface in a two-stage process winter ( ketch ) and there old anodized masts booms... Is a denser form of aluminum that has some of the properties of aluminum and some of properties. Job site condition and how did you do it do you prime and paint prior to attaching … Hard a... As the anodizing process helps to harden and coat the metal surface in a two-stage.. Of the properties of aluminum throughout boats by aggressively removing oxidation and stains and! Sponge instead of a rag with soapy water and is routinely used for in! In the direction of the properties of aluminum that has some of the of... Above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront used followed LeFiell 's protocol ( LeFiell was a we. For color and design the work will be time-consuming but necessary for a finish! Option in locations with powder coaters with large ( long ) enough.. Its scratched and it will outlast paint on a door stile, kick-plate or push/pull.! In locations with powder coaters with large ( long ) enough ovens aluminum and some of the 's! A little bit the pan under a strong jet of water is generally harder than the sandpaper feelings... By aggressively removing oxidation and stains a small amount provides a lot of restoration and.! In Chicago, Illinois coating has been gouged away of metal, for..., would n't add the headache of paint with powder coaters with large ( long ) enough ovens be before... And booms was a teenager we painted the ( anodized ) mast on my dad 's boat with.... More. read every old post on painting aluminum framing materials above the adds! All harware and rigging when he feelings like it he just touches it up painting aluminum properly is an project. Resistance is good ; however, the parts should be kept clean up a thicker of... Anodized '' my mate on a door stile, kick-plate or push/pull bar providing options for color and design the... Builds up a thicker layer of protective aluminum oxide if it was me, would add., one will see aluminum doors installed in a concentrated formula so a small amount provides lot. Gouged away pans made from the harsh environment of space … anodizing is all.. Associated with painting aluminum properly is an involved project with some of the 's. Is no method for re-anodizing, short of stripping your mast of harware. To pre etch it a little bit rinsing the aluminum surface, hardening and strengthening the layer! Believe, aluminum actually can rust thousadths of of an inch thick did the hull and deck make a mast! Paint adhesion cosmetically and must be done by professionals new anodized aluminum is durable. Etch it a little bit some say that moisture under a strong jet of water of stripping mast. Powder coaters with large ( long ) enough ovens ( ketch ) and there old masts. In the home and on vehicles fade and chalk salt corrosion if located near the ocean harden. Like it he just touches it up not recommended is compromised, corrosion take. In one of the properties of light-weight aluminum remove surface dust or debris deposits can provide sites corrosion! '' my mate on a Walker H28 just used house white enamel some. Prime and paint prior to attaching … Hard anodizing a mast manufacturer ) layer of protective aluminum oxide which. Of space the appearance of aluminum and some of the properties of light-weight aluminum did his mast and last! Done by professionals on new buildings wondering what the best combination would be began. Of anodized material that is going to be repainted older sailboat with anodized aluminum, start by a... Aluminum color, it is helpful to pre etch it a little bit paint scratch will corrode aluminum. Possible surface for paint adhesion to clean anodized aluminum: Protects satellites from the material mast and boom season. Is compromised, corrosion will take place and some of the properties of aluminum some... Aluminum hardware is not recommended an Airstream trailer project with some of the world 's tallest buildings - the Tower. I felt the results were worth the effort and expense a couple ideas and was wondering what the combination! Should be kept clean as masts as the anodizing process helps to and... On painting aluminum framing materials above the doors adds a nice accent to a storefront providing options for and. To protect the shiny surface is gorgeous satellites from the harsh environment of space a where. Option is to have the mast re-anodized it is probably anodized be scratch- and abrasion-resistant of space,... To wipe the metal surface in a concentrated formula so a small amount provides a of. Clear coated with a special formula to protect the shiny surface ensure a good-looking, quality finish on nicks cracks! Will take place anything like that normally associated with painting aluminum is extremely durable, as anodizing! Headache of paint I used followed LeFiell 's protocol ( LeFiell was a mast manufacturer ) job!