looking for heavy-duty mast cleaner

[njlarry]

About to pull our mast and among the many tasks planned is a good cleaning. It is really dirty especially the black stains under the speaders so I need much more than a liguid detergent, rather a cleaner polisher that the manufacturer specifies is safe for ANODIZED aluminum.
Thanks for any guidance.

 

[Gunni]

Larry, I buff up my boom with either Flitz or Prism polish every spring. Between the two I seem to get the best results with Prism. Anodizing safe, you are just removing the corrosion salt and staining.

 

[jssailem]

Larry,
When I had my mast down I discussed this issue with my rigger. The bottom line was... It is aluminum..

• Paint will look good for a while then wear and require require repainting.
• Anodizing is possible, but means stripping off all hard wear and finding a joker with a big enough tank, or a make shift tank with some nasty chemicals.
• Polish and buff... eventually this wears off and either climb the mast for another polish and buff or remove mast and repeat.
• Or rinse and with a scotch brite pad remove the corrosion and crusty bits back to clean metal. In a week the aluminum will coat itself in a surface oxide and the metal is protected showing that grey dull patina that is aluminum in a marine environment.

You have your options as to how you want to spend your time. Choose wisely.

 

[Justin_NSA]

While my mast was down for wiring I just cleaned and dry lubed the slot and called 'er good. Mainsail slides really nice now. I sprayed the slugs as I raised it the first time.