cleaning whisker pole scratches

[friesen]

Hello

I acquired a 10 year old whisker pole. It is in good shape but a little scratched and scraped on the aluminum pole sections Is there any reason I should not use some wet sanding paper (starting at about 800 grit and going up to perhaps 1200) to remove some of the aged look of the whisker pole? Is there a better method?

Gail

 

[Stu Jackson]

Start with the finer rather than rougher. You can always go back.

 

[weinie]

It's gonna get scratched up on the shrouds anyway while you get it positioned.

 

[Jackdaw]

Poles are anodized or coated to prevent oxidation. If you take the coating off, you will get black hands whenever you touch it.

 

[Gunni]

LIke scars on fine leather...and it looks fine from over here.

 

[hewebb]

If you sand it you will remove the proactive finish. It has character.

 

[joker460]

+1 with Jackdaw on this one. I would not sand it unless you want to have it anodized again.

If you sand it, you'll need to use an etching solution afterwards and then clearcoat it. But then you will be doing it every odd year until you sell the boat.