Boom clean up

[Kevin]

The boom on my 79 25' is starting to show some age. While it is not pitted the exterior finish is rough and discoloring (am sure there is some aluminum term for this...). I tried some aluminum cleaners but get very little or no return on the invested elbow grease. Can I use SoS pads or steel/brass wool to clean? If I use an abrasive like these is there a sealing paint/spray that I should put on to keep the problem from showing up again (within weeks or months...).Thanks,Kevin

 

[Leighton]

Kevin,I recently broke my boom in half during an evening sail and one of the things I'll be looking for in my inspections is corrosion. The conditions you described on your boom was similar to mine. My boat was built in 1977 with a cabintop traveler. I'll be looking for point loading as well. I've located another boom that has been cleaned and painted with epoxy paint. As far as I can tell the anodizing most manufacturer's use to protect and seal the aluminum could wear off (thus the corosion and pitting) especailly after 20 plus years. This is of course under some assumptions that the boom was exposed to some neglect over the years. From what I know, using SOS pads or steel /brass wool could remove the corrosion but also the anodizing on the aluminum as well. You might want to think about having the boom painted afterwards if the corrosion is extensive.

 

[John renfro]

scrub

hello Kevin, if you use sos pads, steel wool or brass wool, you can leave iron deposits in the aluminum that can lead to discoloration and corrosion. as far as paint, aircraft use zink chromate metal etching primer to prevent corrosion,then paint.john

 

[Brad]

Polished Boom

Kevin,I would hesitate to use such an abrasive method as the metal SOS-type pad. The nylon pads mentioned, I think they are a 3M product called ScotchBrite pads, would be a better approach...IMHO.I cleaned my boom using the nylon pad and dish soap. Afterwards I applied a coat of paste wax. I have a shiny boom with some discoloration...but much cleaner than before. Now I just wash and wax as needed...once per season(?)Good luck.Brad.s/v Worthless Crew1972 C-22 SK