Bare alluminium and salt water

[pcatterall]

Just made a frame for my solar panels to fit on the pushpit rail. I used alluminium angle.
This is fastened to the aluminium frame of the panels with SS bolts and to the rail with ss U bolts.
Do I have to try to paint the whole frame or just worry about the bolts and holes as per the recent thread on this?
Thanks

 

[atol]

no need to paint the alloy but use nylon inserts and nylon wasters where ss might come in contact.

 

[charles_reed]

Just made a frame for my solar panels to fit on the pushpit rail. I used alluminium angle.
This is fastened to the aluminium frame of the panels with SS bolts and to the rail with ss U bolts.
Do I have to try to paint the whole frame or just worry about the bolts and holes as per the recent thread on this?
Thanks

It all depends on the alloy type - marine grade alloy leave bare, others need either anodising or etching and painting with 2-pot polyurethane.

 

[david_bagshaw]

un painted or protected non marine aluminium turns to a jelly like substance on continious exposure to air and sea water.