Pitting on mast

[sophie4]

On inspection my mast has lines of 'pitting', presumably from the shrouds chaffing whilst it has been stored. How serious is this damage and what would anyone suggest to repair it?
Cheers













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[Steve_N]

It's not from chaffing, rather electrolysis where the SS shrouds have been lying in contact with the mast. Add a bit of winter salt spray and hey presto. It pays to always remove the standing rigging.

Where I've had it in the past I've just polished than rubbed in a little Waxoyl - I'd suggest it's only cosmetic damage, although one winter I failed to notice the shroud from a neighbouring mast (mine were removed) trapped between my mast and the rack, and that made a really nasty pit.

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[bruce]

be careful not to polish too big an area and so remove the anodizining on the mast. better to spot clean and retreat the mast, then a good coat of wax. check with alum experts about treating those places.

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[geoffatstanpit]

I'd agree with the Waxoyl treatment (magic stuff for all sorts of salt/metal related problems) .

When I had to keep my rig outdoors I wrapped binliners between the mast and the wires. Seemed to do the trick.

Geoff

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