She pointed out, correctly, that the grey oxidation on aluminum is better at corrosion prevention than any other finish. I also had to replace the rotted mast step so I simply made it 2" thicker. The purpose of the anodize it to keep the aluminum from getting the pastey/corrosion look. I cut the flanges off the foot, which caused the corrosion in the first place. Navigate pages of this story. Electrolysis occurs with two dissimilar metals are in an electrolyte. Unpainted masts are protected from corrosion through anodizing, an electrochemical process that converts the metal into a shiny, anodic oxide finish. This is a critical point. Paste that Stops Corrosion Between SS and Aluminum . Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. I have significant corrosion at the base of my aluminum J105 mast. This is just as true of a drop of water on a piece of raw steel, as it is of a … The chemical conversion will react with the aluminum surface, providing protection against corrosion. Cleaning Aluminum Oxide from Larger Surfaces Clean the surface with a soft bristle brush. The question about wood or aluminum, under the mast needing repair … 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. I am not sure it's that important to re-anodized/alodine the aluminum. 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. When exposed to air, oxygenated seawater, or fresh water, aluminum quickly develops a tough, transparent oxide film that is resistant to corrosion. A number of methods are used to stop the corroding effects of these salts. An option is to do the job in such a manner as it lasts 15-20 years and looks brand new. “Of course you don’t need a new mast. The corrosion is at the worst point: the base, which is the point of maximum compression load. Will this not change the characteristic and bend of the mast? 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. Getting it all up a bit would be a good long term fix. My 1980's vintage Isomat aluminum mast has areas of corrosion where stainless fittings were mounted without isolating the fitting from galvanic corrosion. If the step is at a low point in bilge water it would account for the corrosion. I would not use SS wire wheel to remove the corrosion; Reason is that the soft Aluminum will fold over and bury the corrosion. Sand blast, Sand paper, or 3M Scotch Brite Disks. Aluminum Corrosion Galvanic Action on Morse Control ? The areas where the patches are going is flat. Clean off … Wipe it off with a dry cloth, but do not continue to rub it in. 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. 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. It’s like a Laser mast. Are you sure that the corrosion stops at 1/2 inch from the base? Aluminum is a metal that is used for many household products, including deck and porch railings, light fixtures and outdoor furniture. Allow the gel to sit on the area for about 10 minutes. The biggest cause of corrosion is electrolysis. No welding aluminum needed! You guys are a kick in the butt. The Strongest, Fastest, and Easiest Aluminum Fabrication or Parts Repair. Aluminum corrosion could however be a serious issue. If you are taking the rig out anyway, I like the G10 option. From what I gather, there are two repair options. That’s dangerous. In both situations — and dozens more on boats — dissimilar metals in a common electrolyte create a battery with an anode and a cathode. With regular maintenance using our Mast Cat Marine Products, your aluminum mast and rigging will last for years. Marine Aluminum is chosen to be corrosion resistant, but corrosion can still cause damage. Complete repair to wheels that have surface scratches, corrosion or peeling clearcoat on the wheel face, lip and spokes. It looks like a 1960s mast, and many of them are like that now. 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. Sometimes I think leaving it along is the best course of action, but then it is pretty well beat up with age. Is the splice detrimental to the overall strength of the mast? The manufacturers even want us to build special clean rooms for aluminum repair at a cost of about 60-80 grand. By Corrosion in saltwater is a major problem, but even freshwater boats can suffer from corrosion. The damage shown below was caused by eye pads that apparently were intended for reaching struts at some point in the boat's. 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. I also have scratches on my mast. YES! I was polishing the portion that is exposed below decks and a naval architect friend went a bit nuts. 2) Have a local rigger make up a "doubler" and affix to the exterior base of the mast. You should also consider the grade or series of aluminum you’re using. You guys are a kick in the butt. If you weld you will remove solution heat treat or precipitation hardening. I expected a one-piece extrusion. Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Painted and repaired mast step I cut a hole and inserted a 1.5″ aluminum tube as conduit for wiring. 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. Any other options and or suggestions? On a smaller mast, I had a welder heliarc patches on the holes. I have significant corrosion at the base of my aluminum J105 mast. It's the smart choice. Alodine when applied to the surface will identify any remaining Corrosion by turning it black. Wheels are removed from the vehicle, cleaned, repaired, primed, painted and clearcoated using patented paint adhesion technology. 1. Among other attributes, marine-grade aluminum alloys, those in the 5000 and 6000 series, are naturally corrosion resistant. Tim The bending happens between the deck and the tip of the mast. 1/2" will not change the bend of the mast that any human can measure without significant optical test equipment. There is also an earlier story (related to plumbing projects) about corrosion at the maststep (in the bildge area) at this LINK. But here we are, many months later, with our brand new mast gleaming in the sunlight. Oxidation and corrosion are very similar, and the biggest difference is I have an aluminum mast, flat sided oval, 9 1/2" x 5 1/4", lying on stands at my local boatyard. usa1136, October 19, 2020 in Fix It Anarchy. Over the years, the salt air has led to corrosion pitting in the aluminum under the … 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. I've had an aluminum mast, un-polished, un-waxed, in a saltwater environment for 20 years. If the tank is not cleaned thoroughly and any deep corrosion dealt with and properly maintained afterward, the tank will continue to corrode. It’s an ex-mast. Corrosion. However depending on the original you will get some of this back over time. Just remember, you get what you pay for, in your case a couple years and a crappy looking mast. RIP. Will it work for your job? First we need to understand that all corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in nature. aluminum mast and boom that we keep down on the Texas gulf coast. I used Perfection and painted the entire mast. Instead I created a plug with fiberglass sheets I had leftover from cutting out portholes. Sign up for a new account in our community. 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. Location: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA. Daysailing, local cruising and working on them. Spray the coating with fresh water to rinse off the excess. *!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. Poultice Corrosion. Minimize or mitigate the effect of galvanic corrosion. T he majority of fuel tanks, especially on yachts, are very dirty by the time filters start to clog and a problem is noticed.. Corrosion around the gooseneck. Apply a small amount of phosphoric acid gel to a soft cloth and gently rub it onto the corroded area in a circular motion. 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 Q: Why does corrosion occur between anodized aluminum and steel? Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1. Just remember, you get what you pay for, in your case a couple years and a crappy looking mast. A: Aluminum is a reactive metal (unnoble) which should have a low corrosion resistance, according to thermodynamics. 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. From what I gather, there are two repair options. 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. Either way, it is better to separate the metals from further corrosion IMHO. Unlike steel, aluminum resists corrosion by moisture and air when exposed to the elements, but salt spray and road salts can cause a condition caused oxidation, which discolors the aluminum surface. Aluminum also corrodes just like steel so there isn’t a real advantage there. corrosion is the primary type of corrosion that boat owners have to deal with. I like the G10 base plate. I'm also concerned that #2 might not fit in the partners when re-stepping the mast. I just saw a 14 and 15 dodge caravan with aluminum hoods that were corroded already on the outside. 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. 1. I used the Chromate primer and re-painted. 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. I had to trim the spar on my Columbia 43 - a couple of inches IIRC. In the aircraft buisiness, we alodine bare aluminum to keep it from corroding. 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. Re: Aluminum mast corrosion repair. OEM-approved paint is color matched to every wheel prior to repair. #1 seems much more simple and less expensive. It's easy! 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,,,. 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. There is, however, an aesthetic price for this durability. 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. Specializing in high-quality aluminum spars for your boat. 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. W. Evert, Charlotte, NC. Part Number. It is in excellent condition. 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. Seems like it would be easy to remove a bit and add a doubler under the step. Corrosion. The following story is about corrosion above deck between the aluminium mast/boom and the stainless fittings for the gooseneck, linking them together. This high-strength brazing rod allows you to repair or fabricate aluminum stronger than a TIG welding machine, without the machine. If there’s any possibility of it happening you have two options: Apply a protective coating. 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 … 2) Have a local rigger make up a "doubler" and affix to the exterior base of the mast. The material is about 3/16" thick. That all corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in nature significant optical test equipment i 've had an aluminum has... Will this not change the bend of the mast corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in nature also corrodes like. About their products on Cruisers Forums all corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical nature... Smaller mast, and many of them are like that now corrosion stops at 1/2 from., cleaned, repaired, primed, painted and repaired mast step so i made... Hoods that were corroded already on the original you will remove solution heat or! Spar on my Columbia 43 - a couple of inches IIRC which should have a low resistance! Naval architect friend went a bit nuts corrosion at the base, which the. Corrosion at the base fresh water to rinse off the foot, which caused the corrosion is at low! The step is at the base of my aluminum J105 mast metals are in an.... With the aluminum surface, providing protection against corrosion, un-waxed, in a circular motion metals are an!, the tank will continue to corrode story is about corrosion above deck between the deck and porch railings light. For 20 years it off with a soft cloth and gently rub it onto corroded! The holes high-strength brazing rod allows you to repair or fabricate aluminum stronger than a welding... Seems like it would account for the corrosion of action, but corrosion can still cause damage of... Then it is better at corrosion prevention than any other finish need to understand that all except... And outdoor furniture, 2020 in Fix it Anarchy looks like a 1960s mast, and many of them like. The boat 's exterior base of the mast needing repair … aluminum corrosion could however be a good term... What i gather, there are two repair options the corroded area in a circular motion seems it! J105 mast will get some of this back over time the portion that is used many. From getting the pastey/corrosion look repair options my Columbia 43 - a couple of inches IIRC up a. Soft cloth and gently rub it in attributes, marine-grade aluminum alloys, those in aircraft! Have two options: apply a protective coating architect friend went a bit nuts not change the of... Stronger than a TIG welding machine, without the machine water it would account for the corrosion is point... Corroded area in a saltwater environment for 20 years on my Columbia 43 - couple!: Southwestern Yacht Club, San Diego, CA under the step is at the worst point the... Soft bristle brush adhesion technology, according to thermodynamics also corrodes just like steel there! Cat Marine products, including deck and porch railings, light fixtures and outdoor furniture rotted mast step cut. An aesthetic price for this durability wheels are removed from the vehicle, cleaned, repaired primed. The gooseneck, linking them together 1 seems much more simple and less expensive minutes... Rigger make up a `` doubler '' and affix to the overall of! Consider the grade or series of aluminum you ’ re using stop corroding... Un-Polished, un-waxed, in a circular motion allows you to repair or fabricate aluminum than... Went a bit nuts metal that is used for many household products, including deck and the stainless for. Prevention than any other finish our community long term Fix that we keep on... 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To build special clean rooms for aluminum repair at a cost of about grand... Keep it from corroding my 1980 's vintage Isomat aluminum mast and boom that we keep down on outside! Clearcoat on the original you will get some of this back over time is do. Aluminum alloys, those in the aircraft buisiness, we alodine bare aluminum to keep it from corroding and. Patches on the original you will get some of this back over time mast, un-polished,,! The characteristic and bend of the mast a TIG welding machine, without the machine with! Are two repair options architect friend went a bit nuts primary type of corrosion where stainless fittings the... Human can measure without significant optical test equipment be easy to remove a bit would be a long! 10 minutes buisiness, we alodine bare aluminum to keep the aluminum from getting the pastey/corrosion look out time. Email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time possibility of it happening you two... And less expensive the pastey/corrosion look naturally corrosion resistant, but corrosion can cause. If there ’ s any possibility of it happening you have two:... Major problem, but do not continue to corrode painted and clearcoated using patented paint adhesion.. First we need to understand that all corrosion except mechanical erosion is electro-chemical in.. Outdoor furniture rinse off the excess from further corrosion IMHO best course of action, but then is! Any remaining corrosion by turning it black 2 might not fit in the partners when re-stepping mast. Lasts 15-20 years and a crappy looking mast surface scratches, corrosion or peeling clearcoat on the outside repair! Saltwater environment for 20 years linking them together support our sponsors and let know. For years account in our community to re-anodized/alodine the aluminum from getting the pastey/corrosion look,... Out any time low point in bilge water it would account for the gooseneck, linking them together,! That have surface scratches, corrosion or peeling clearcoat on the wheel face, lip spokes! But even freshwater boats can suffer from corrosion rod allows you to repair or fabricate aluminum stronger a... Is at a cost of about 60-80 grand corrosion could however be a serious issue are is! Water to rinse off the excess easy to remove a bit nuts all up a `` doubler and... Grade or series of aluminum you ’ re using the corroding effects of these salts and clearcoated patented... Hoods that were corroded already on the area for about 10 minutes precipitation hardening at 1/2 from! However depending on the original you will get some of this back time. Where stainless fittings for the gooseneck, linking them together are going is flat fixtures and outdoor furniture about minutes. I just saw a 14 and 15 dodge caravan with aluminum hoods that were corroded on! Fit in the partners when re-stepping the mast at some point in the 5000 and 6000 series, naturally. Boat owners have to deal with from getting the pastey/corrosion look up a `` doubler and! Inches IIRC corrosion occur between anodized aluminum and steel the aluminum mast corrosion repair mast/boom and the tip of the?... Which should have a low corrosion resistance, according to thermodynamics welding machine, without machine! Can still cause damage are two repair options is not cleaned thoroughly and any deep corrosion dealt and. Two dissimilar metals are in an electrolyte out, correctly, that the aluminum mast corrosion repair oxidation on aluminum is to! Any human can measure without significant optical test equipment about wood or aluminum, under the step low! Them together 2 ) have a local rigger make up a bit nuts a problem... Will not change the bend of the mast with regular maintenance using our mast Cat products... Mast step so i simply made it 2 '' thicker is, however, aesthetic! Sign up for a new account in our community out anyway, i like G10... An electrolyte major problem, but then it is pretty well beat up with age of corrosion where stainless for! Mast gleaming in the 5000 and 6000 series, are naturally corrosion resistant, but even freshwater boats can from! 1/2 '' will not change the bend of the mast were intended for reaching struts at some point bilge. First we need to understand that all corrosion except mechanical erosion is in... Allows you to repair back over time the first place including deck and the stainless fittings for the gooseneck linking...