Repairing track and anodizing?

[andypag]

My track is pretty rough. Pitted and corroded in places.



I'm wondering if I clean it up with a dremel do I have to worry about losing the anodized layer.



Does it matter?
I've been told about annodisng paste, but I can't find any details about it. It's a chemical annodising rather than a electrolosis.



The mast is currently down. A new track will be over £1000, and the mast has to come down to replace it, so now would be a good time to replace it if replairing it is a bad idea.


Any thoughts or experience?

[Orion Jim]

A photograph would benefit those considering offering a helpful comment. “Pretty rough” is subjective. Intended use is very important. Heading for blue water? Replace it. Going for day sails and harbor hopping? A simple fix might be all that is necessary.

[psk125]

If your sail track is pitted and corroded you have already lost the anodization in those areas. Smoothing things out with a Dremel will smooth things out, but may also extend the loss of anodization over a larger area. It depends how careful you are. Waxing, lubricating or otherwise coating the track could serve to keep the bare aluminum from oxidizing. Many aluminum hulled boats are treated this way, as anodizing the hull would be impractical. The cost-effectiveness of the treatment to use may depend upon how big your mast is (i.e. what kind of boat you have), and you have not indicated that.

[andypag]

Thanks. It's 18m mast from a 20 year old cat.



Are there special aluminium waxes? What should I search for?