scratches in the toerail / fairleads

[Cactus Sailing]

AWB toerails and a couple of scratches in them where previous owner looks like they have had a chain over the toe rail / in the fair-lead, im not too precious about them but wondered if i could polish them out somehow or will this remove some coating and create a downward spiral of misery?

i.e. just live with them or can you get rid of them without replacing the rails / fair-lead section?

**they're aluminium

 

[sarabande]

What's the material of toerails pls ? Alu, timber, steel, GRP ?

 

[Cactus Sailing]

What's the material of toerails pls ? Alu, timber, steel, GRP ?

ah yes apologies, aluminium

 

[VicS]

Does gel coat filler match alloy anodised toe rails?

Post deleted in view of further relevant info previously kept secret

 

[James_Calvert]

I don't think you can do much. As a minimum, file off anything sharp in case it catches on mooring lines, sails, clothing etc. If you polish the area, it will look a bit more cared for and very minor scratches will be disguised.

I think I've heard of using something like clear nail varnish but never tried myself.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

guess ill be living with them then

 

[Norman_E]

The aluminium is silver anodised, and once the hard anodising has been rubbed off you just have aluminium alloy, which very quickly forms an oxide layer. There is not much you can do, but painting with a clear lacquer, or with aluminium paint are options. Aluminium paint is probably the better one.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

The aluminium is silver anodised, and once the hard anodising has been rubbed off you just have aluminium alloy, which very quickly forms an oxide layer. There is not much you can do, but painting with a clear lacquer, or with aluminium paint are options. Aluminium paint is probably the better one.

could i sand / polish them and then lacquer them or is this just best avoided and leave them be?

 

[JimC]

Two alternative suggestions:

https://www.everbritecoatingsuk.com/protection-of-marine-craft

https://www.paintservices.com/product/alocrom-1000-dip-or-brush/

The latter one, the Alocrom, will give a degree of protection equivalent to the original anodising if you want to go the whole hog.

 

[peteK]

I know some one that used coloured epoxy to coat an aluminium mast,perhaps you could do the same for the toe rail.

 

[Cactus Sailing]

thanks, ill have a look and contact the manufacturers see if they have any recommended products..

i may do a test piece and leave it on deck over winter to see the results, i will update in due course

everbrite sent over a link to this for those interested;