Some of my Axis aluminium foil components has gained pits and scratches in the anodising. Is there a successful way to fix them without removing all of the anodising and starting again from scratch? (Please excuse unintended pun.)

taveray said..
Some of my Axis aluminium foil components has gained pits and scratches in the anodising. Is there a successful way to fix them without removing all of the anodising and starting again from scratch? (Please excuse unintended pun.)

You can get ali masts and fuses cheaply just ignore it until it effects performance. Then buy a new one. Tefgel all the joins and bolts.

Id say it really depends where. If it's the mast just replace it those extrusions are cheap. Plate is irrelevant, on the fuse if it's around the stab just let it ride, not a big deal. If it's around the mast there I would just bondo and spray paint.

In my experience this pitting is the result of electrolytic corrosion with the aluminum reacting with the carbon. If it's on the outside of the fuse that's happening in the water and you can mitigate that by increasing the area of exposed aluminum. Because of the exposed carbon a set amount of corrosion is going to occur and if the only area exposed is a scratch or a pinhole it's going to go wild in that small area. If more area is exposed you will have a light dusting of corrosion over the bigger area and it won't create such drastic weak points. Maybe try sanding the back half of the fuse opposite the stab as a sacrificial area. If there's pitting in the mast/fuse connection that's happening because salt and water are retained in that area after riding and the reaction is happening overnight. For that I really like to use some simple silicon sealant in the assembly to displace the water and just leave it assembled all the time. Silicon is so mellow that it won't interfere with future disassembly etc. It does screw up future bonds so if you ever want to repair or paint in the future silicon will be a problem but all foil items are disposable and repairability should be your LAST concern

Thank you, gentlefolk! In short, the only easy solution is to replace the bits, as a few of you have said. The pitting is in very small spots, mostly on masts, so I'll take that advice when it appears to be bad enough.

For what it's worth, my experience with aluminum parts, saw increased pitting when I used covers. Mast and fuse covers. It trapped moisture for long periods. I stopped using covers on aluminum parts.

DWF said..
For what it's worth, my experience with aluminum parts, saw increased pitting when I used covers. Mast and fuse covers. It trapped moisture for long periods. I stopped using covers on aluminum parts.

Foil covers should be made from a breathable/wicking material.. next shark tank idea? You're welcome ;)

jdfoils said..
A hole punch works well to perforate neoprene covers to allow some air flow to dry things out.

Still holds moisture for way too long, only use covers to and from the beach, once home and rinsed, hang to dry without of the covers.