Restoring a wooden mast

[snowleopard]

I am responsible for a club Drascombe which is starting to look a bit tired. In particular the mainmast has developed grey patches where the varnish has succumbed to the weather. Obviously it needs to be taken back to the bare wood and re-varnished but what to do about discoloured patches which I suspect are more than superficial? As far as I can tell there is no softening, it just looks bad.

The heel of the mast sits in a socket to inevitably it is always sitting in fresh water though surprisingly there is no sign of rot yet.

A couple of years back I tackled the area where it had chafed at deck level by wrapping it in glass tape and epoxy but I doubt that is a good solution for the full length.

Suggestions?

Also what is the best type of varnish given that it is afloat all summer on fresh water?

 

[Plum]

I am responsible for a club Drascombe which is starting to look a bit tired. In particular the mainmast has developed grey patches where the varnish has succumbed to the weather. Obviously it needs to be taken back to the bare wood and re-varnished but what to do about discoloured patches which I suspect are more than superficial? As far as I can tell there is no softening, it just looks bad.

The heel of the mast sits in a socket to inevitably it is always sitting in fresh water though surprisingly there is no sign of rot yet.

A couple of years back I tackled the area where it had chafed at deck level by wrapping it in glass tape and epoxy but I doubt that is a good solution for the full length.

Suggestions?

Also what is the best type of varnish given that it is afloat all summer on fresh water?

Can't help regarding removal of the discoloration but once back to bare wood i can recommend two coats of epoxy followed by two coats of two-pack varnish. My mast on my gaffer had that treatment 20 years ago and gets rubbed down and another 2 coats of two-pack every 5 or 6 years, maybe more as the last time was 7 years ago and it is still glossy. I have never been back to bare wood in 20 years. I used Blakes varnish.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[HunterWanderer]

Oxalic acid sometimes takes out the grey stains otherwise its sanding it out or just leave it and varnish over.
I use a traditional soft varnish with uv protection. Lasts for years and doesn't crack or peel.
http://www.sealantsandtoolsdirect.c..._marine_quality_clear_gloss_750ml_P27210.html
No association just a pleased user

 

[jamie N]

I took mine back to bare 'fresh' looking wood, then gave it about 10 coats of International Original; the 1st 5 coats thinned down by 50(ish)%. This sounds pretty onerous, but it works as the wood absorbs so much of these 1st few coats, plus the putting it on only takes a few minutes. it's not a portrait, it's a mast, and with thin varnish there are no blemishes to show.
I believe that others take a day to do it, but with mine I take a bit of a day, for a few days, and it works for me.

 

[johnlilley]

The easiest way to remove weathered & grey timber is simply to plane it back to new timber. You need not worry about weakening the mast as you will only remove about 1/32" ( .7mm) but make sure the timber is dry as planing wet timber rips the grain & tears the wood out. Sanding is time consuming and can leave hollows. A sharp plane blade and a few minutes. Finish as others say, plenty of varied opinions and probably all work.

 

[ThrilloPads]

I too am also looking to restore my wooden mast. The advice here is useful, but I just wanted to check - given we are going into winter here, should I wait until spring, or should I try and do it now? I'm not certain how the cold (and damp) weather will affect things!

I have a can of epifanes clear varnish I plan on using. Is this a fine choice? Should I stain beforehand or just take back to bare and use this varnish? Thanks

 

[jamie N]

To be honest, asking "Which varnish?", on here, might be as much fun as asking "Which anchor?".
From post #5 "Finish as others say, plenty of varied opinions and probably all work.", is about right I reckon!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Epiphanes will be fine although I personally use Ronseal Yachtvarnish. Usually preparation consists of just sanding but if severely blackened, this may be removed with oxalic acid.