Repainting Wooden Masts

[Petronella]

We have a 40 year old Joshua ketch. Because she has spent most of her life in the Caribbean her wooden masts are both painted white and the time has come to re-paint them. Not sure what is already on the masts and spreaders but it is in pretty good condition. Can anyone recommend a paint that is easy to work with and doesn’t run horrendously as the plan at the moment is to re-paint the masts whilst they are up? Any advice very gratefully received.

 

[Tranona]

Depends to an extent what you have on them already. assuming they are conventional oil based paints then consider International Toplac. I use this on my spreaders and last time it lasted 5 years without fading or breaking down. It is a bit runny though, so you will have to be careful. As it will last at lewast 5 years probably worth the extra work involved in taking the masts out. Very therapeuitic coating 30 or 40 foot of mast on trestles!

 

[Petronella]

Toplac paint

Thanks for that Tranona. I used Toplac last summer on the staysail and mizzen booms and found it really runny – even on almost horizontal surfaces - in the 30 degrees heat! We are also considering taking the masts down but have been quoted well over 2000 euros for the rigger and crane to take them down and put them back up again. The rigging itself is in very good condition and doesn’t need renewing so if possible we would like to paint the masts this time without taking them down and do them again from a trestle when we renew the rigging. However painting standing masts sounds anything but therapeutic!!