Scanstrut Radar Mount Painting

[bobgarrett]

The paint on my radar mount has peeled off. Has anyone any experience of the best way to apply new paint to it? How to prepare and what paint to use?

 

[Boathook]

My scanstrut had the same problem after about 10 years. I 'sanded' it down and washed to remove the corroded aluminium and then painted with an enamel paint. Whether it will last any longer I'm not sure and from the deck it is difficult to see how well it is performing.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Best way is to have it powder coated.

http://www.banburypowdercoating.co.uk/

 

[bobgarrett]

Best way is to have it powder coated.

I think that was what it had - and has fallen off!

 

[vyv_cox]

Aluminium needs an etch primer. The Hammerite Special Metals one works well in my experience. I made an adaptor plate between the Scanstrut pole and scanner in aluminium sheet, primed and top-coated with Hammerite smooth. That was in 2002 and it is still good. Some coating on the Scanstrut has flaked off, also repaired by the same means, looking good although only a couple of years old.

 

[Daverw]

Had the same problem and had mine cleaned and powder coated, £20 and looks really good

 

[boatmike]

Had the same problem and had mine cleaned and powder coated, £20 and looks really good

Yes they all look good for a time. The problem with powder coating is that it does not seem to protect long term. Aluminium castings and/or welded fabrications are not resistant to salt water corrosion and powder coating is not a good enough protection on its own. When mine started to corrode I shot blasted it and painted with Aluchrome before giving it two coats of Hammerite. That was 6 years ago and no sign of the corrosion returning.

 

[pvb]

Scanstrut stuff is nicely designed, but the production quality leaves a bit to be desired.

 

[tudorsailor]

Can I add a safety note about Scanstrut? I had mine break at the mounting on one side. Luckily I found this before the radar dome came down.



The replacement strut came with instructions to fit a stainless steel lanyard from the mast to part of the strut under the dome. The instructions said that the strut was designed to break if hit by something.

Conclusion is that everyone should fit a little lanyard just in case! I used the stainless steel one supplied, but dyneema would probably do as an alternative



TudorSailor