The manufacturers even want us to build special clean rooms for aluminum repair at a cost of about 60-80 grand. There is, however, an aesthetic price for this durability. Nobody has ever replaced a mast on an Oyster!” That’s what we were told over and over again, by rigger after rigger and surveyor after surveyor. Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA. Will it work for your job? An option is to do the job in such a manner as it lasts 15-20 years and looks brand new. It’s like a Laser mast. “Of course you don’t need a new mast. I do plan on pulling the mast at some point (probably next year) but would like to do whatever prep work I can now while the stick is still in the. It's the smart choice. I have significant corrosion at the base of my aluminum J105 mast. By I was polishing the portion that is exposed below decks and a naval architect friend went a bit nuts. Getting it all up a bit would be a good long term fix. Unpainted masts are protected from corrosion through anodizing, an electrochemical process that converts the metal into a shiny, anodic oxide finish. aluminum mast and boom that we keep down on the Texas gulf coast. Seems like it would be easy to remove a bit and add a doubler under the step. On a smaller mast, I had a welder heliarc patches on the holes. Just remember, you get what you pay for, in your case a couple years and a crappy looking mast. Electrolysis occurs with two dissimilar metals are in an electrolyte. The following story is about corrosion above deck between the aluminium mast/boom and the stainless fittings for the gooseneck, linking them together. Weld lines around the spar section work like knifes, in your case its the ss pads under the boom i guess to fit reef lines and the area is not really big in size , check some zspar inmast furling spars, they got some wide windows in bot sides of the furling drum without compromise the mast, but in this case the internal structure is diferent , best solution for this pad areas in my mind is to fabricate a wider aluminium pad ,thin enough to bend it and use monel rivets if you fear ss screws again in the pad, and for the ss fitting use the same previous holes in the area, we fix dozen of corrosion and cracked problems with aluminium sheaves and spar curvature sections , even for a severe corroded mast feet, boom goosenecks or spreaders base,,,. Cleaning Aluminum Oxide from Larger Surfaces Clean the surface with a soft bristle brush. Instead I created a plug with fiberglass sheets I had leftover from cutting out portholes. It is in excellent condition. Complete repair to wheels that have surface scratches, corrosion or peeling clearcoat on the wheel face, lip and spokes. You should also consider the grade or series of aluminum you’re using. I had to trim the spar on my Columbia 43 - a couple of inches IIRC. 1) Cut the 1/2' off at the base and add 1/2" G10 plate to ensure the mast section that meets the partners stays at the the same location. Aluminum corrosion could however be a serious issue. Minimize or mitigate the effect of galvanic corrosion. In the aircraft buisiness, we alodine bare aluminum to keep it from corroding. 2) Have a local rigger make up a "doubler" and affix to the exterior base of the mast. #1 seems much more simple and less expensive. Sometimes I think leaving it along is the best course of action, but then it is pretty well beat up with age. Specializing in high-quality aluminum spars for your boat. 1/2" will not change the bend of the mast that any human can measure without significant optical test equipment. Re: Aluminum mast corrosion repair. And if you replace the fasteners, Please excuse my candor, "prof_mariner", but in your considered, professional opinion, do you actually expect those of us who actually perform this, Dont weld, from the pict you have a lot of pitting around, what we can do in this cases in the, Thanks Cheechako and Nicholson58. 2) Have a local rigger make up a "doubler" and affix to the exterior base of the mast. Navigate pages of this story. I need to place two patches on each side of it, each about 3" x 5", to cover the patterns of holes where some hardware was removed. Either way, it is better to separate the metals from further corrosion IMHO. Allow the gel to sit on the area for about 10 minutes. Q: I just purchased a new Seldén mast for my 42-foot sailboat, but was surprised to see a splice in the lower part of the mast. 1. I have an aluminum mast, flat sided oval, 9 1/2" x 5 1/4", lying on stands at my local boatyard. If the tank is not cleaned thoroughly and any deep corrosion dealt with and properly maintained afterward, the tank will continue to corrode. Poultice Corrosion. The bending happens between the deck and the tip of the mast. Corrosion in saltwater is a major problem, but even freshwater boats can suffer from corrosion. I've had an aluminum mast, un-polished, un-waxed, in a saltwater environment for 20 years. Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1. T he majority of fuel tanks, especially on yachts, are very dirty by the time filters start to clog and a problem is noticed.. Is the splice detrimental to the overall strength of the mast? Sand blast, Sand paper, or 3M Scotch Brite Disks. Examples include anything from a stainless steel bolt threaded directly into an aluminum mast regularly doused in saltwater, to a bronze propeller on a stainless steel shaft immersed in seawater. A number of methods are used to stop the corroding effects of these salts. It's easy! When exposed to air, oxygenated seawater, or fresh water, aluminum quickly develops a tough, transparent oxide film that is resistant to corrosion. She pointed out, correctly, that the grey oxidation on aluminum is better at corrosion prevention than any other finish. Any other options and or suggestions? Clean off … A: Aluminum is a reactive metal (unnoble) which should have a low corrosion resistance, according to thermodynamics. Aluminum is a metal that is used for many household products, including deck and porch railings, light fixtures and outdoor furniture. I do plan on pulling the mast at some point (probably next year) but would like to do whatever prep, Weld lines around the spar section work like knifes, in your case its the ss pads under the boom i guess to fit reef lines and the area is not really big in size , check some zspar inmast, Thanks Cheechako and Nicholson58. usa1136, October 19, 2020 in Fix It Anarchy. The chemical conversion will react with the aluminum surface, providing protection against corrosion. I also had to replace the rotted mast step so I simply made it 2" thicker. First we need to understand that all corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in nature. The Aluminum Association last year produced a handy guide to the three dominant corrosion phenomena found in in automotive applications: crevice corrosion, filiform corrosion and galvanic corrosion. I like the G10 base plate. Apply a small amount of phosphoric acid gel to a soft cloth and gently rub it onto the corroded area in a circular motion. Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. *!Looking for experience and/or advice on best way to paint a 34 year old aluminum mast while out of the boat and on horses. There is also an earlier story (related to plumbing projects) about corrosion at the maststep (in the bildge area) at this LINK. Wipe it off with a dry cloth, but do not continue to rub it in. The high corrosion resistance found on aluminum, nevertheless, is due to the presence of a thin, compact film of adherent aluminum oxide on the surface. Among other attributes, marine-grade aluminum alloys, those in the 5000 and 6000 series, are naturally corrosion resistant. Just remember, you get what you pay for, in your case a couple years and a crappy looking mast. You guys are a kick in the butt. I cut the flanges off the foot, which caused the corrosion in the first place. YES! The areas where the patches are going is flat. No welding aluminum needed! OEM-approved paint is color matched to every wheel prior to repair. This is a critical point. thought I was going to have to do the same but after blasting the base of the mast on my 105 it cleaned up nicely and nothing was needed, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. RIP. My 1980's vintage Isomat aluminum mast has areas of corrosion where stainless fittings were mounted without isolating the fitting from galvanic corrosion. corrosion is the primary type of corrosion that boat owners have to deal with. Painted and repaired mast step I cut a hole and inserted a 1.5″ aluminum tube as conduit for wiring. In both situations — and dozens more on boats — dissimilar metals in a common electrolyte create a battery with an anode and a cathode. The biggest cause of corrosion is electrolysis. The question about wood or aluminum, under the mast needing repair … Tim I expected a one-piece extrusion. From what I gather, there are two repair options. This is just as true of a drop of water on a piece of raw steel, as it is of a … I just saw a 14 and 15 dodge caravan with aluminum hoods that were corroded already on the outside. I used the Chromate primer and re-painted. Are you sure that the corrosion stops at 1/2 inch from the base? Corrosion. Oxidation and corrosion are very similar, and the biggest difference is If you are taking the rig out anyway, I like the G10 option. The material is about 3/16" thick. With regular maintenance using our Mast Cat Marine Products, your aluminum mast and rigging will last for years. Corrosion around the gooseneck. Alodine when applied to the surface will identify any remaining Corrosion by turning it black. This high-strength brazing rod allows you to repair or fabricate aluminum stronger than a TIG welding machine, without the machine. Will this not change the characteristic and bend of the mast? Paste that Stops Corrosion Between SS and Aluminum . It’s an ex-mast. The damage shown below was caused by eye pads that apparently were intended for reaching struts at some point in the boat's. Corrosion. Wheels are removed from the vehicle, cleaned, repaired, primed, painted and clearcoated using patented paint adhesion technology. That’s dangerous. I would not use SS wire wheel to remove the corrosion; Reason is that the soft Aluminum will fold over and bury the corrosion. If you weld you will remove solution heat treat or precipitation hardening. Part Number. The Strongest, Fastest, and Easiest Aluminum Fabrication or Parts Repair. Over the years, the salt air has led to corrosion pitting in the aluminum under the … 1) Cut the 1/2' off  at the base and add 1/2" G10 plate to ensure the mast section that meets the partners stays at the the same location. If there’s any possibility of it happening you have two options: Apply a protective coating. Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling, Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape, http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...t.do?docId=542. An option is to do the job in such a manner as it lasts 15-20 years and looks brand new. Spray the coating with fresh water to rinse off the excess. The area of the mast base was designed to be light enough to not make the boat top heavy, yet strong enough to handle the loads expected for a coastal cruiser and a margin of safety. Spray or brush on two or three thin, light coats of regular primer, primer that binds the substrate and provides mechanical adhesion by settling into scratches on the surface of the mast. I also have scratches on my mast. Supplies for the repair, 3/8 inch drill motor, T Handle Tap Wrench, small hammer, ... in my case the A-9 Cutting Fluid was designed for cutting Aluminum since I have an Aluminum mast.. ... and remember to protect the threads from corrosion with a good anti-corrosion paste or gel. It looks like a 1960s mast, and many of them are like that now. Problems with Aluminum Corrosion Repair in University City: Why Take it Seriously The use of aluminum in auto manufacturing has increased heavily over the last few years. Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Q: Why does corrosion occur between anodized aluminum and steel? From what I gather, there are two repair options. 1. I have significant corrosion at the base of my aluminum J105 mast. The purpose of the anodize it to keep the aluminum from getting the pastey/corrosion look. Mast Extrusions and Fittings Boom Extrusions and Fittings Round Tubing Sailboat Hardware and Accessories Standing Rigging and Rigging Kits Pricing and Terms Abrasive Waterjet Technology Company and Contact Information I am not sure it's that important to re-anodized/alodine the aluminum. Daysailing, local cruising and working on them. If the step is at a low point in bilge water it would account for the corrosion. W. Evert, Charlotte, NC. If corrosion and fatigue establish a foothold, it’s only a matter of time before something as small as a corroded clevis pin or a cracked turnbuckle could easily cause your … Sign up for a new account in our community. Aluminum also corrodes just like steel so there isn’t a real advantage there. But here we are, many months later, with our brand new mast gleaming in the sunlight. The differences between the types of corrosion we experience on our boats has to do with how the corrosion occurs and how quickly the metal is compromised. Aluminum Corrosion Galvanic Action on Morse Control ? Marine Aluminum is chosen to be corrosion resistant, but corrosion can still cause damage. I used Perfection and painted the entire mast. The corrosion is at the worst point: the base, which is the point of maximum compression load. Most cities will have an anodizing facility, but anodizing requires that the mast be immersed in an acid-electrolyte bath, and not all of them will have a tank to fit a mast. However depending on the original you will get some of this back over time. I'm also concerned that #2 might not fit in the partners when re-stepping the mast. 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Series of aluminum you ’ re using and 15 dodge caravan with aluminum hoods that were already... But even freshwater boats can suffer aluminum mast corrosion repair corrosion in saltwater is a metal that exposed. The characteristic and bend of the mast that any human can measure without significant optical equipment! A saltwater environment for 20 years on my Columbia 43 - a couple years and looks brand new first.. Porch railings, light fixtures and outdoor furniture aircraft buisiness, we alodine bare to... Opt out any time build special clean rooms for aluminum repair at a of... From the base of my aluminum J105 mast will react with the aluminum surface, providing against... Know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums porch railings, light and... Affix to the exterior base of my aluminum J105 mast, lip and spokes are removed the... We are, many months later, with our brand new corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in.! And looks brand new replace the rotted mast step so i simply made it 2 thicker! Had a welder heliarc patches on the Texas gulf coast deck and stainless...