Simon 6 Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 Does anyone have a view on the best way to paint an un-anodised aluminium mast? Not a big job as its for a 65 year old classic sailing dinghy that spends most of its time under cover or sailing on fresh water. I have had advice to just wash the mast with turps and then water and dry, then apply a water-based galv iron primer and enamel top coat. Is this enough given the mast has a pretty benign life or is it worth going to more complicated two-pot solutions? While protecting the mast is a factor, a key reason for painting it is appearance (the boat has a wooden mast which comes out for special events but it is so heavy it is a major to step it singlehanded) so the top coat on the alloy version is likely to be in a brownish colour that from a distance will look like wood! thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 the best result I have seen: the mast was grit blasted and then painted with a 2 pot system Done by Rudolphs in Whangarei., (red) 10 years on it is still in good shape. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 General rule of thumb is, the more effort spent, the longer it will last.If you want cheap and easy, sand back, then detergent wash and then apply PA10 as a primer, then your topcoat of choice.The longer lasting hard wearing coatings need good prep etc and then an etch primer and desired two pot top coat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Simon 6 Posted July 4, 2016 Author Share Posted July 4, 2016 Thanks Wheels - was thinking PA10 could be a good way to go as a practical mid-course among the options. Given the mast has never been painted, after a good clean/degrease, what grade sandpaper would you reecommend to roughen the surface prior to paint application? Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sail Rock 28 Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 I also got my alloy mast (30' keeler) sand blasted and painted by Rudolph's a few years ago. They did a great job and the epoxy coating still looks great. Adequate preparation is the key to success for any coating system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted July 6, 2016 Share Posted July 6, 2016 Sand blasting can be OK if the Guy is experienced. But Aluminium can be damaged really easily if you get someone that has no clue.Sandpaper Grit size, 240 is fine. It is essential to give it a good clean with Acetone and get the PA10 on it as quickly as you can. Do leave it for Days or Hrs even. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chewing Gum 17 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Isn't it usual to use a 2 pot etch primer followed by 2 pot polyurethane on aluminium ? If prep is not good the paint will definitely fall off leaving an unsightly mess. If unpainted my preference would be to leave it that way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
erice 732 Posted July 10, 2016 Share Posted July 10, 2016 going through the same thing with a corroding boom easiest thing seems to be clean up as best possible, then oil paint with silver enamel - it'll look better - the rate of corrosion will at least be slowed - if silver paint flakes off silver alloy it doesn't stand out much Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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