Mast anodising damaged, how to fix?

[Lucky Duck]

The boat has not long cone back from fettling at a yard about half way up the Hamble

Part of that was replacing the standing rigging and as part of the mast either being removed or reinstated there is a substantial scratch in the anodising just above the gooseneck

Is this a simple DIY fix or something more serious?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

You won't reanodise it as that requires immersion.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Asking for a replacement mast seems excessive though

 

[greeny]

Source some suitable silver paint and fill the scratch with it wiping off the excess with a cloth with thinners to leave the scratch full of paint with no overspill on the good area of mast. Doubt you'll be able to make it disappear though. You'll always see it. If the scratch is in a suitable position on the mast then you could get some of the 50mm reflective silver safety tape and put a strip down each side of the mast long enough to cover the scratched area. Do it both sides to make it look as though it should be there.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Something like the touch up pens for cars?

Primary interest is limiting any further damage rather than cosmetics

 

[Tranona]

If it was damaged by the riggers, why not ask them to fix it?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

If it was damaged by the riggers, why not ask them to fix it?

There isn't an as new fix.

 

[OCuea]

Electrolysis is how the mast was probably anodised to begin with.
Anodizing - Wikipedia

Difficult to do on a small patch and if my mast I would not be bothered but go down the repair route that some have already mentioned.bare aluminium usually needs a self etching primer paint iirc. I don’t know the boat, it’s value or how much of a perfectionist you are…… on any of my boats I would prime and find a matching paint via RAL number.

 

[spudnukem]

Just a thought. On my vintage motorcycles we regularly replate small sections of nickel plate using nickel salts, a 9v battery, and a cotton pad soaked on the salts. With the right chemicals, not nickel salts, could this not be done with aluminium anodising?

 

[Hoist]

Had a silver anodized toe rail repaired on a moody before.

It was welded and then painted with something, you literally would not have known where it was unless i told you.

unsure what they used, but it was invisible

there is hope

 

[Tranona]

There isn't an as new fix.

I know, but pretty sure a rigger would be able to coat the scratch with something - better asking them than guessing on here

 

[lonederanger]

Ral colour 9006 is your best match for anodising

 

[Lucky Duck]

Thank you for all the replies, I wanted to get an idea of how much an issue this is and likely fixes (or if it was a 'trivial DIY item) before going back to the rigger.

 

[Minerva]

Ral colour 9006 is your best match for anodising

Is that for silver, black, white or gold anodized masts?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Something like the touch up pens for cars?

Primary interest is limiting any further damage rather than cosmetics

There won't be any further damage. Aluminium forms an oxide (corundum) layer almost instantly on exposure to air. If it didn't, aluminium wouldn't last long - it is highly reactive. Anodising thickens and colours the oxide layer, making it more resistant to wear, but it doesn't increase the protection from corrosion.

 

[lonederanger]

Is that for silver, black, white or gold anodized masts?

Unfortunately white anodising is not available!!