plan to remove the 30 year old paint from my mast and leave it back to the bare aluminium any ideas for removing the paint. Soda blast, paint stripper? There are lots of paint strippers but which one actually works, and has anyone soda blaster. Any help would be great.
Cheers

OK thanks I don't really want to repaint so don't want a scuffed surfaced but would that polish out?

dralyagmas said..

SilentNumber said..
OK thanks I don't really want to repaint so don't want a scuffed surfaced but would that polish out?

if the mast isnt anodised after cleaning then I am not sure its the best finish for longeivity

I have an un-anodised and un-painted mast and I am about to get it re-rigged. I had one rigger say it should be painted (for $5k). Had the surveyor say I dont need to paint it. Had another rigger say no there is no need to paint it and if I did paint it I would just be maintaining the paint...

So not sure what the best advice is. I am unlikely to get it painted.

I have rebuilt and refurbished 2 masts (for Farr727 and Santana 22 - the latter putting a cut down Etchells mast into it with higher fractional rig and long boom big mainsail so as to cure the lee helm original design problem) and had excellent results from the below Norglass products - I don't know why they call this product norust though, when it is suitable for aluminium as well as the other metals noted.

www.norglass.com.au/products/norust-all-surface-primer

Then 2 coats of this;

www.norglass.com.au/products/northane-gloss

Also don't know why the photo there shows 1.33l hardener and 4l base and the tech data sheet has 2:1 ratio and the correct photo showing 2:1. I am probably missing something.

Anyway Norglass technical advice is 2nd to none and they will sort it out for you. A great Australian company.

I can't imagine re-rigging a mast and not re-painting it with the above system. Of course use Tefgel between stainless rivets and the alum mast to avoid galvanic corrosion. If you have stainless spreader bands suggest completely remove these and check that the galvanic corrosion barrier under them is still intact - else your mast will be eaten away like I found mine on the 24 footer in 2007. Lucky I had a section of mast to sleeve externally over the top of the single spreaders location with epoxy glue and rivets. Then rivetted the ss spreader band back on. It is still stronger than ever now. I used Duralac back then between the monel rivets and mast - apparently Tefgel is better now but I would assess both. Be aware that 3/16 monel or ss rivets take a large grip force to clench using a standard rivet gun from your local green shed. The external mast band at the spreaders will reduce your spreader angle a bit.

www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/tools/hand-tools/staples-rivet-guns/rivet-guns?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIktaS3sDg6gIVjHwrCh3uyQ8oEAAYASAAEgJlCPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Some people rave about Nyalic - have never used it but it could be the go...........

www.nyalic.com.au/nyalic.com.au/MARINE.html

I've been using the polystipper disc on the 5" grinder recently they seem to have the ability to move the paint fast but not so much the metal,

Hi scaramouche
I am very happy with the result, it looks good six years later still fine.

Is that unpainted?

gary

My rigger said bare aluminium and 8 yrs later it still looks great.

Mate stripped the paint off his Cole aluminum 42 footer, hull and mast. The mast he polished and coated with a clear finish the WA crayboats use on their bare aluminum boats. It's been more than 5 years and still looks brilliant. He did have to do some welding though. Paint covers all sins.

garymalmgren said..
Hi scaramouche
I am very happy with the result, it looks good six years later still fine.

Is that unpainted?

gary

Painted with Nyalic
this gives a sort of clear coat finish
can also be used on Fiberglass ,apparently