Repainting Mast Hardware

[Chris Schnell]

The flat black paint on the winch bases, the boom bracket, mainsail slide access cover, and several cleats has started to flake off leaving a kinda powdery oxidation on what I assume to be aluminum fittings. Being 20 years old I would think this would be expected, as it appears to be original. My question is this: how do I prepare this surface for repainting (never preped/painted aluminum before), and are there any recommendations on the paint to give me another 20 years surface. As usual, I thank you in advance as I know the answer lies here on this board.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC



swabbie@compaq.net

[Don Carr]

I don't think it is 'black paint' but black anodized aluminum. If you are looking to refinish, pick a good 2 part LPU. The Interlux or Awl-Grip web sites have very good information about suface prep. Unless you are going to do the entire spar you might be better off just replacing the items you mention. The prep work essentially involves an acid etching and then sanding prior to a coat of primer then x-number of coats of paint.
FWIW
Don Carr
s/v Lolita
CD25
Noank,Ct





carrds@us.ibm.com

[sloopjohnl]

zinc chromate is usually the required primer for aluminum. whether there is a different primer for the marine environment i am not sure.

The flat black paint on the winch bases, the boom bracket, mainsail slide access cover, and several cleats has started to flake off leaving a kinda powdery oxidation on what I assume to be aluminum fittings. Being 20 years old I would think this would be expected, as it appears to be original. My question is this: how do I prepare this surface for repainting (never preped/painted aluminum before), and are there any recommendations on the paint to give me another 20 years surface. As usual, I thank you in advance as I know the answer lies here on this board.

Fair Winds & Calm Seas,

Chris Schnell & Dale Hampton
s/v MADNESS III, CD30 #235
Southport, NC

[John R.]

I don't think it is 'black paint' but black anodized aluminum. If you are looking to refinish, pick a good 2 part LPU. The Interlux or Awl-Grip web sites have very good information about suface prep. Unless you are going to do the entire spar you might be better off just replacing the items you mention. The prep work essentially involves an acid etching and then sanding prior to a coat of primer then x-number of coats of paint.
FWIW
Don Carr
s/v Lolita
CD25
Noank,Ct

Don is right about LP paints but there is a relatively new paint made by PPG that is called Delphi that blows away the typical linear polyurethane paints like Imron and Awlgrip.

I saw it being used at an aircraft manufacturing plant in Michigan earlier this week. This paint is incredible, the film strength, durability and gloss is unmatched. I've never seen anything like it. It doesn't chip, crack, split or any of a hoist of other typical problems associated with LPU finishes. This stuff is inexpensive, less than half the cost of Awlgrip or Imron.

I saw a sample piece of aluminum that had been painted and had deteriorated from corrosion but the paint was like new and it actually held the part together and it would not tear or crack. Incredible stuff. I imagine PPG has a website on the paint, I haven't looked. Anyone with any painting projects coming up should seriously check out this product.