Hi all, I am prepping my mast and boom for an Awlgrip paint refinishing on my Catalina 30. I plan on painting the boom and mast white. I had 2 questions I was hoping to get feedback on: 1- What color would you recommend painting the masthead casing? Spreaders? 2- What is the best way to fill in old screw-holes in the aluminum mast left from cleats and winches I relocated to the deck? Thanks - Rob
Mast Paint Colors
- Thread starter Rob19574
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I would do the mast head castings in mat black
Rob: I would do the mast head casting in a mat black. You may also want to consider powder coating it. It is very durable and not very expensive. For plugging the holes in the mast I would recommend that you use alum. pop rivets that will accept screws. This will keep the direct metal contact of alum/alum. Then you can either put screws in the pop rivets or fill them with a little silicon.
Rob: I would do the mast head casting in a mat black. You may also want to consider powder coating it. It is very durable and not very expensive. For plugging the holes in the mast I would recommend that you use alum. pop rivets that will accept screws. This will keep the direct metal contact of alum/alum. Then you can either put screws in the pop rivets or fill them with a little silicon.
What I did
White Awl-grip. Rolled it on. A description is posted on my web site under photo #100. To fill holes, Marinetex. I even closed an incorrect halyard slot with it. Just back the hole with duct tape and spread the stuff on. No heat to worry about either. The stuff works on engine blocks so it sure will close up mast holes.
White Awl-grip. Rolled it on. A description is posted on my web site under photo #100. To fill holes, Marinetex. I even closed an incorrect halyard slot with it. Just back the hole with duct tape and spread the stuff on. No heat to worry about either. The stuff works on engine blocks so it sure will close up mast holes.
Rob, anything you paint with gloss will
reflect right back in your eyes. I think Fred has it right with the hole filling, though I think any polyester putty or epoxy putty would would do. I think welding is abit overboard. White or offwhite are the only two colors I would consider. I have seen them both and it would depend on your boat color Some of the paint manufactures have additives to dull the sheen so that it doesn't glare back, but it will look a little less than pristine. r.w.landau
reflect right back in your eyes. I think Fred has it right with the hole filling, though I think any polyester putty or epoxy putty would would do. I think welding is abit overboard. White or offwhite are the only two colors I would consider. I have seen them both and it would depend on your boat color Some of the paint manufactures have additives to dull the sheen so that it doesn't glare back, but it will look a little less than pristine. r.w.landau
Painting a mast
In 1996, I painted my Irwin 31 Citation's aluminum mast and boom Imron beige, matching the new paint for the hull and deck. Although the boat was sold two years ago, it remains in the harbor near my new boat. The mast paint is holding up extremely well although there are spots of corrosion in a few places. Even though Imron is shiny, it has never caused problems of any visible or 'hot to the touch' problems. When painting aluminum, however, be sure to use a zinc chromate primer first-it adds to the cost but is absolutly necessary or the finish coats won't stick. When preparing the mast and boom for painting, I filled the holes and scratches with West system epoxy and micro balloons...there are no problems with it today. Incidentally, all the mast & boom attachments (including spreaders but not blocks or light housings) were also painted Imron beige-it all looks great nine years later. Good luck.
In 1996, I painted my Irwin 31 Citation's aluminum mast and boom Imron beige, matching the new paint for the hull and deck. Although the boat was sold two years ago, it remains in the harbor near my new boat. The mast paint is holding up extremely well although there are spots of corrosion in a few places. Even though Imron is shiny, it has never caused problems of any visible or 'hot to the touch' problems. When painting aluminum, however, be sure to use a zinc chromate primer first-it adds to the cost but is absolutly necessary or the finish coats won't stick. When preparing the mast and boom for painting, I filled the holes and scratches with West system epoxy and micro balloons...there are no problems with it today. Incidentally, all the mast & boom attachments (including spreaders but not blocks or light housings) were also painted Imron beige-it all looks great nine years later. Good luck.
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