Black marks on mast

[SteveGorst]

My mast has developed some black marks over the winter where the top of the sail cover meets the mast. It must have been rubbing in some way but I can't figure out what the marks are. I have tried white spirit with no effect and the wifes multi surface cleaner doesn't touch them either.

Has anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers
Steve

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://"www.nwcc.info">North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[andyorr]

Steve, is it a wooden mast or aluminium? On wood you need to use a bleach like oxalic acid (I think that was it), but on alli masts I'm not sure. Perhaps alloy wheel cleaner from Halfords will do.

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[William_H]

I am assuming it is an aluminium mast. If it is bare metal then use fine wet and dry sand paper or a nylon scouring pad to remove the black mark which is probably aluminium oxide. If it has been painted you may need to repaint after traking the stain off. Don't worry too much about damaging the mast if it is only superficial. If it has been anodised then it will be far too expensiver to have it reanodised perhaps a clear lacqueur or varnish will restore the good looks.
Disregard all above if it is wood.

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[William_H]

I am assuming it is an aluminium mast. If it is bare metal then use fine wet and dry sand paper or a nylon scouring pad to remove the black mark which is probably aluminium oxide or more specifically where the natural oxide has been chafed away by friction and new oxide has formed. If it has been painted you may need to repaint after traking the stain off. Don't worry too much about damaging the mast if it is only superficial. If it has been anodised then it will be far too expensiver to have it reanodised perhaps a clear lacqueur or varnish will restore the good looks.
Disregard all above if it is wood.

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[SteveGorst]

Thanks for the advice, it is an aluminium mast so I'll try the fine wet and dry sandpaper. The rest of the mast has a matt finish so I don't think I'll need to varnish but I'll see how I get on.

Steve

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://"www.nwcc.info">North Wales Cruising Club</A>

 

[malcp]

T-cut may be a little less vicious. Don't want to take more of the anodising off than you can help

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