Mast cleaning

[landonshaw]

We have our mast down currently so are trying to get those things that are easier to do now rather than climbing the mast.

Has anyone cleaned their aluminum mast? We have pressure washed it and then used collinite metal cleaner, 850. After that used soft scrub. Still not to our liking although it does look better.

Anyone ever successful in cleaning their mast?

sv Aloisius

[Connemara]

Not really sure why you'd bother. Some of my club-mates here in Toronto do it every spring; I never do and I don't notice a huge difference.

OTOH, the mast on the southern boat is painted white and it could use a touch-up but we don't routinely take it down, so I'd need a better reason than a slightly shabby appearance to do so.

$0.02

Connemara

[landonshaw]

My mast is already down and am trying to do anything that is now easier. Replacing the deck spot light and VHF antenna with all of the associated wires also.

[barnakiel]

When our mast is out, I wash it with soapy water, dry it and wax it with plain car wax.


Our mast is anodized alloy thing.


b.

[tkeithlu]

Hmmm. A bare mast is going to produce a self-protective oxide layer. If that appearance does not meet your standard for appearance, then you can wax it or paint it. If you paint it, sand it, prime it, and spray it, because when the paint comes loose it's going to look really awful.

[landonshaw]

Thank you, not thinking of painting. We will clean and wax.