glass bead aluminum

[redhead78]

Hey all, what a day, hope some of us were sailing. I removed the mast boot and it is really rough looking. Can I glass bead this to clean it up. There are 3 slot head screws in it frozen solid. I am soaking with PB blast....Will heat work with 2 same metals aluminum, then an impact driver? I am rebedding the chainplates also, they look to be well designed, heavy duty....Red

 

[mitiempo]

"...with 2 same metals aluminum."

I'm not sure which 2 metals are aluminum. The first pic has what looks like 300 series stainless bolts (304 probably) and the 2nd and 3rd pic show all stainless I think.

 

[Ray Bowles]

Beading or any type of media blasting will clean it up but I would tape the threads first and run a die down the threads to clean them up.
This work will not do much for the seized screws. The PB will give you the best chance if given time to soak in and used with a GOOD, PROPERLY SIZED slotted screwdriver bit on an impact driver.

 

[redhead78]

Thanks, sorry about the confusion, the 2 pics of chainplates are fine I will have no problem cleaning them up, the mast, step, has the 3 4" bolts frozen in at the heads.Now that u mention it the screws do look like stainless. Would glass beading wear away the alum cast and weaken it? Red

 

[joes new addiction]

I'll toss my 2 cents in here!
First the frozen bolts.
Take a can that can hold the entire bracket.
fill it with Kerosene, Trans fluid, let it saok a few days, don't rush this, it took the rust a long time to seize it..........
Tap @ the screws with a hammer, trying to "shock" the screws loose.
IF you have to heat it, it'll be a 3 part thing.
heat the area completely, tap wioth hammmer, let it cool, (different metals will expand different, hopful this will loosen it)
if they are still frozen, heat real good and with a GOOD tip that fits snug on your impact, go for it.
Sadly @ 50% of the time on screws anyway the head twists off.
Before I bead blast, I try some "Flitz" cleaner (it cleans bike chrome well) on a wire brush in a drill, then "soda blast, (it less abraisive) them bead blast.
Good luck, remember patients with rusty stuff!
(I've found out the hard way)!
Joe
So many boats, so few $$

 

[Bill Roosa]

On the frozen bolts, fully support aronnd the bolt face with a socket larger than the bolt head. Place a nut on the threads so you do not damage them (hit the nut not the threads) and have at it with a baby sledge.
It is VERY IMPORTANT to place the socket on someithing like a concrete floor to impart the maximum impact to the bolt.

 

[alexco38]

It look like a pretty standard piece of FLAT metal. Why not just make a new one with good SS material?

Any Metal supermarket should be able to cut one to size for you. Just need to drill and tap a couple of holes.

 

[redhead78]

Hey guys thanks for the great input on my parts. As the step goes, I have decieded to leave the bolts, I bought a $5 metri 1.5 die and in about 1/2 hr I cleaned up all three threads, 3 new ss nuts and washers. As I think about it, I am going to bed the step in on the deck, nuts and lock washers under, the mast is sitting on it all down weight, it should be fine. I was thinking powder coat, but if all goes well clean and paint as u guys said I hope I never see this thing again. The paint will help stop the corrosion, and u can,t see it so powder coat might be a waste, unless I get a really cheap price. Red