Aluminum external corrosion

[carlpaez]

I have a 1980 Catalina 27 and it has a mast boom that could use some help. I bought this vessel in March 2011 and have been restoring it to as close to "Bristol" shape as I can. The boom is something I could use some help with. I thought of removing all hadware and sanding the external surface, but I am not sure what should be the next step (Alodine, prime, paint, etc. ?). I would appreciate any practical guidance you can provide this retired sailor in terms of specific products that you may have used. I have lots of time on my hands, so I would prefer to do the task myself. Thanking all of you in advance,

Carl, in Dana Point, CA

 

[Ken Prichard]

Boom

I just had mine done at a body shop. It was in pretty rough shape but now looks like new.
I know you want do do yours yourself so here's what I know of the process used on mine:
- Some holes in the boom are no longer used. These were welded at a welding shop, not the body shop.
- The entire boom was sand blasted and etched.
- It was painted with GM automotive paint and then sprayed with clear coat.
I don't know how many coats of paint or clear coat were used.
Hope this helps.

 

[Johnb]

1 Removed old paint using paint remover and only plastic scrapers and "plastic wool"/cleaning pads.

2 Took it to a local body shop for painting

3 Put wooden plugs in the ends to protect against incidental bumps and dings while transporting.

Under the old paint it was really in prety good condition and I did not feel the need to fill or smooth out any pits or anything. The painting was about $120 and they told me that by bring it in in shiny, ready to paint condition I had cut off about $400 on the job.

 

[sandsailor]

i redid my mast and boom a year ago

it was pretty corroded i used a wire cup wheel on a small grinder to remove the old paint and oxides and muriatic acid to clean the aluminum of all oxides before a couple coats of DTM paint (thats Direct To Metal) no primer it adheres to clean metal really well
get it at the big orange box
i did mine black by choice