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To paint or not

  • February 23, 2011 12:31 PM
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    Message # 531676
    Deleted user
    I have removed the Wilcox Crittendon aluminum hatches and stripped them to bare aluminum they look pretty good but for a few scratches. I am also about to embark upon the aluminum mast. Practical sailor says why paint aluminum. Is there a good reason to paint beyond the cosmetics and what will happen if it is not done properly?
  • February 25, 2011 8:43 PM
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    Reply # 533423 on 531676
    Deleted user
    Since no one else has chimed in, I will offer my $.02. Alan, aluminum has to be protected from oxidation (typically a white power) some way. Most often it is anodized. However, Westsail chose to have their masts painted. When I bought my W28 the mast, boom, spreaders were in need  maintenance after 28 years. Having them anodized would have been expensive. Painting was relatively inexpensive, but time consuming.

    I removed everything possible and scraped the paint off. I had to chip the paint off of the welds with the tip of  a small screw driver. Next was sanding (with emory cloth) all parts down to shiney metal. I used Pettit's metal primer to etch it and then applied two coats of their Unipoxy. Four years later it still looks good, though a 2-part paint might ultimately last longer.
  • February 26, 2011 6:59 AM
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    Reply # 533530 on 531676
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Alan:

    I'd research the issue on the internet - or go to the In the yard forum and open up the pdf from the old forum and search for advise.

    I'd highly recommend painting but the right surface prep is critical - as you know...
     also my mast color is   MATTERHORN WHITE single part from (I think) Interlux.

    Many folks brush and tip when doing their mast - remember the first 10' is all most folks can see :).

    Jay
  • February 26, 2011 8:47 AM
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    Reply # 533566 on 531676
    Anonymous member
    My new mast from LeFiell was painted with imron. In my mind if you are going to paint the mast, use the best 2 part paint you can afford. Its the same amount of work!
  • February 26, 2011 9:02 AM
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    Reply # 533569 on 531676
    Deleted user

    Jay: I see in the yard that you had your mast bead blasted and powder coated in the Sacramento area. Who did this for you, and how did you transport it?,
  • February 26, 2011 9:08 AM
    Quote
    Reply # 533571 on 533569
    Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Alan Johnson wrote:

    Jay: I see in the yard that you had your mast bead blasted and powder coated in the Sacramento area. Who did this for you, and how did you transport it?,


    That was my consideration before the cost got so high that the owner bought a new mast with main and staysail booms. 

    Transporation was a big sticking point.

    How to site on mast repainting.

    Jay
  • August 05, 2014 9:10 AM
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    Reply # 3064194 on 531676
    Deleted user

    Hi,

    Jay has it right, people can only see what is at eye level anyway. I did mine (Le Fiell Tabernacle Mast/W32) a few years ago by sanding the mast by hand and painting it. Sandblasting with what ever blasting media, tends to add tensions to the surface of the mast extrusion. Being in a business where machining thin walled parts improperly causes the parts to come out distorted, the same with masts. There is no magic that sandblasting will substitute for a decent primer.

    I looked this year at the entire WOA comment web site to find inspiration for myself and also I hope that I will not offend others by my criticism. I may not be 100% correct, but I have been more correct than wrong (so far).  I am adding this because there are lots of opportunities to educate oneself so that some hungry yard operator (wolf) will not eat your budget and you end up with a second rate job.

    Fair winds,

    Mike Z

     

      
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