Cleaning the Aluminum Mast

Status
Not open for further replies.
Michel16055

Michel16055

.
Apr 30, 2008
41
in between boats for now Plattsburgh Boat Basin, Plattsburgh, NY
Hello,
I would like to take advantage of my mast being down to properly clean it.
Is there any type of product I should know about which would not damage the mast but make it sparkling clean like new...:dance:as it looks dull after 22 years.
Or is there another way to clean it or not.
Thanks
Michel
~~~_/)~~~
 
Last edited by a moderator:
C

CM

When I cleaned my mast I used some rubbing compound followed by a good waxing.

The rubbing compound took out all the scuffs and black marks. The wax made is shine and smooth.

Now I am trying to decide what to use to touch up some of the areas that the paint has been scraped off. Rustoleum paint ?

CM
 
M

Mac Daddy

.
Oct 23, 2008
138
Macgregor v22 Tacoma
Re: Cleaning the Auminium Mast

If it's not anodized use a red scotchbrite pad and wd 40 then you can use a polishing compound and wax.
 
B

bffatcat

.
Jun 8, 2004
853
Pearson 26W Marblehead
why bother

Its a make work detail If you sail on salt water its gonna look crappy again in a couple of months. If your a neatnick you could paint the mast with a quality 2 part epoxy paint
than put 3 coats of paste wax on. If you repeat the waxing every season it should hold up ok
for a few years anyway
 
Pink Flamingo

Pink Flamingo

.
Sep 27, 2008
80
Grampian 26 26 Penetang,Ontario
Re: Cleaning the Auminium Mast

Last time I used an automotive aluminum cleaner,works like a charm.
Rinse well and wax.
 
Netrick

Netrick

.
Dec 25, 2007
24
Macgregor 25 Slidell, La.
I used Gords ( www.gordspolish.com ) polish to put a mirror shine on the mast and boom. Use the polish as per directions for a mirror shine every time. I do not work for Gords, I'm just a satisfied customer. Check out the pics, I did half of the mast to see the difference and took a pic.
 

Attachments

D

DebonAir42@aol.com

Mast Cleaning

Michel16055 said:
Hello,
I would like to take advantage of my mast being down to properly clean it.
Is there any type of product I should know about which would not damage the mast but make it sparkling clean like new...:dance:as it looks dull after 22 years.
Or is there another way to clean it or not.
Thanks
Michel
~~~_/)~~~
Click to expand
Try Nevr-Dull, a can costs less than $10. Working in sections, it cleans easily with the wadding (that goes further than you think) then buff with a soft cloth. No wax residue to worry about on deck afterwards.
 
islandjim

islandjim

.
Jan 19, 2009
40
oday 22 Keyport Harbor, Raritan Bay
I have tried many things, but SIMICHROME works the best. It makes your mast look like chrome. If you have the gold mast, use a good aluminum mag wheel cleaner. Try the Simichrome on any aluminum, you won't believe the finish. I use it on my motorcycles as well. It puts everything else to shame when polishing aluminum. And I don't work for Simichrome either.
 
J

jkoeh

.
Jul 14, 2007
1
Oday 30 Port Clinton
How much work?

Netrick said:
I used Gords ( www.gordspolish.com ) polish to put a mirror shine on the mast and boom. Use the polish as per directions for a mirror shine every time. I do not work for Gords, I'm just a satisfied customer. Check out the pics, I did half of the mast to see the difference and took a pic.
Click to expand

How much work/time to complete 45' or so of mast if in a similiar condition to yours?
Thanks
 
Michel16055

Michel16055

.
Apr 30, 2008
41
in between boats for now Plattsburgh Boat Basin, Plattsburgh, NY
Re: How much work?

Thanks for the info, I will be working on it in 2 weeks as I must go away to a soccer tournament. Will let you know how it turns out and how long it took (including how much "elbow grease") thanks
Michel
~~~_/)~~~
 
RAD

RAD

.
Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
Don't aluminum masts have a coating called anodized and if you remove it the metal will always tarnish?
 
F

frelichth

Anodizing is a thin oxide layer electrically deposited on the aluminum surface. It is harder than the aluminum itself, but can be scratched or abraded off. If this happens, the aluminum starts natural oxidation immediately. Anodized aluminum should be simply cleaned and waxed to protect the coating.

Terry
 
J

jimmckirdy386@aol.com

Mast Cleaning while down.

Michel16055 said:
Hello,
I would like to take advantage of my mast being down to properly clean it.
Is there any type of product I should know about which would not damage the mast but make it sparkling clean like new...:dance:as it looks dull after 22 years.
Or is there another way to clean it or not.
Thanks
Michel
~~~_/)~~~
Click to expand
Take 1/4 of vinigar and hot soapy water. Once you have cleaned the mast go out and buy at wall mart a can of mother's cleaning and polishing compound. It cost around $3.00. Do not use a polisher just rub it on with a clean rag. It will dry in about 2 hours and just wipe it off with another clean rag. This is all that you need to do. It will shine again for about 24 months. Don't go crazy with making the mast look like chrome. You can but it will tarnish in less than 90 days. I have a 26 X by Macgregor and this is what I use every two years. Now as far as the green lines go. Do not remove the lines. Just take a spray bottle and 1/2 beach and 1/2 hot water no soap. Your lines will look like they are new again. I have been cleaning boat of my own for over 50 years. The best way to clean bulkheads is again with a clean rag and a can of liquid pledge or something like that. Always make sure that the cabin is well vented. Spray it on lightly and wipe it off till it shines like new. Never use this stuff on the deck or wax the deck at all. If the deck get wets you or your passengers can fall and get hurt. Now you know the best solution to keeping a boat clean.
 
G

gpecaut

skip the bleach

Bleach can break down fibers in nylon and dacron. If you don't use it too heavy you will probably have more problems from the sun's UV than the bleach, but one rope manufacturer told me bleach will remove their UV protecterant. Instead try OxyClean. It's not as harsh and should still clean up those lines nicely.
 
RAD

RAD

.
Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
frelichth said:
Anodizing is a thin oxide layer electrically deposited on the aluminum surface. It is harder than the aluminum itself, but can be scratched or abraded off. If this happens, the aluminum starts natural oxidation immediately. Anodized aluminum should be simply cleaned and waxed to protect the coating.

Terry
Click to expand
So if you use an abrasive polish,compound,etc. you will scratch off the coating and turn the mast or boom into a maintenance nightmare
 
SamLust

SamLust

.
Jan 2, 2008
547
Hunter 33 (Cherubini design Forked River, Barnegat Bay, NJ
Non-nightmare.

RAD said:
So if you use an abrasive polish,compound,etc. you will scratch off the coating and turn the mast or boom into a maintenance nightmare
Click to expand

Not a nightmare at all. I removed all of the white paint from my mast and boom, and gave it a "machine" finish with 100 grit paper on an orbital sander. The mast took on it's characteristic dull gray patina and hasn't changed in years. No maintenance at all. You want problems: go ahead and paint paint.
 
islandjim

islandjim

.
Jan 19, 2009
40
oday 22 Keyport Harbor, Raritan Bay
Re: How much work?

Cleaning the mast with simichrome depends how bad it is. You can also do a fast job or a detail job. It's how much time do you have to invest. My mast is around 28' and it takes me around 3 hours. Simichrome does not scratch which is important to keep in mind. If you go and pic up a tube on ebay and test a small area, you'll have a good idea of how much work you have in front of you. I do my mast every year before I place her on the mooring. It looks great all season. Sitting in my back yard in the winter is where most of the oxidation appears. Simichrome is like magic in a tube. The more work the shinier it gets.
 
B

bsailn

aluminum polish

don't use all that crazy stuff get 3M marine aluminum restorer & polish check it out this stuff & some elbo grease....i don't realy know about all that other stuff i use this on mine & my alum. fishing boat its not cheap but is made for salty marine type things...
 
S

sailorguy53

.
Dec 28, 2006
3
- - Patchogue, NY
Easiest mast Cleaning Product

I use a product called Safe Restore, it is manufactured by a company called EACO Chem. If you do a google you will find it. The application is simply wipe on wipe off. Follow this with their product called "ART" Anodized Restoration treatment.
I used safe restore on a construction project I was involved with. Essentially had to clean the aluminum garage doors at a few Sunoco stations. They came out sparkling with little effort.
For those who are interested you may email me at sailorguy53@optonline.net

Frank


Michel16055 said:
Hello,
I would like to take advantage of my mast being down to properly clean it.
Is there any type of product I should know about which would not damage the mast but make it sparkling clean like new...:dance:as it looks dull after 22 years.
Or is there another way to clean it or not.
Thanks
Michel
~~~_/)~~~
Click to expand
 
C

Cat30Fan

.
May 4, 2009
3
2 30 Long Beach
Use Oxi-Off, it eats of oxidation from any metal surface and they also have an epoxy acrylic sealant to protect it. Great finish. Call EFFISOL 714-812-7845
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom