Aluminium mast - needs painting - whats best?

[oxman]

Curently sanding down an Aluminium mast which has been painted several times by previous owner - plenty of corrosion bubbles under the paint so thought the best option was to strip it off and start again - so what is the best recommendation? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Grajan]

If you have external halyards I would use a two pack system otherwise you could use a single pack coating scheme, but it will not last as long or be as hard as a two pack .
dont forget to use an etch primer onto the bare metal prior to the primer, U/C and gloss

 

[Bejasus]

just had ours done using Awlcraft, mainly because we had already bought the paint and had the topsides repainted also.

 

[oxman]

Thanks - I will go for the 2 pack - it has to last around the world!

So Etch primer, primer, undercoat and gloss topcoat ! - keep me busy!

Cheers

 

[Poignard]

There's a spray painter who often works in Emsworth Yacht Harbour painting hulls but he also does masts. I believe he uses Awlgrip. The results look pretty good to me, and people I've spoken to seem happy with the result.

 

[vyv_cox]

Almost without exception, the beautiful big boats ashore at Palma Boatyard, Mallorca, are being painted with Awlgrip. Some of the masts and other superstructure done by the professionals are prepared and painted to an almost unbelievable finish.

 

[Blueboatman]

2 pack the way to go.
On the last boat I (!) was allowed to spray the spars.my mate did the hull and deck .
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.
Its a great opportunity to redo any wiring,rebush masthead sheeves,replace tired fittings etc,all bedded on new zinc chromate paste or sikaflex of course..as you say you are heading off on a big trip.
Also imo it looks silly to just do the mast and not the boom and foredeck poles.

 

[bobgosling]

There was an article in a boat mag recently ( sorry - can't remember which /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif ) about a guy who had painted an Ali mast and had used one of those rubber "designer" squeegees to make it look like real wood. Gave stunning results IMHO.

 

[oxman]

Thanks for all your comments and advice.

Practical rather than pretty will do for me! - not the prettiest boat and its going to have a hard couple of years!