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plating, anodizing, & finishing Q&As since 1989




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Aluminum Boat Frame and Wire Brushing

2003

Q. Hi everyone,

I'm a 17 year old catamaran owner/sailor, I have a 14 foot catamaran with a clear anodized aluminum frame mast and boom. All of which are severely marked and scratched up. I'd like to refinish or remove the finish/scratches all together, (I'm on a very tight budget), but I'm curious as to what the effects of wire brushing the entire frame would be on the wellbeing of the material in a high salt environment like bays and ocean. Will this seriously harm the aluminum, will applying an acrylic clear coat directly onto freshly brushed/rinsed aluminum protect the surface well enough to keep the surface from going gray and corroded again? I would also like to paint, but only acrylic aerosol paints are an option at the moment, is there a way I can paint the frame to last at least a season with minimal preparation?

Thank you,

Jason B. [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Newark, Delaware, USA

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2005 -- appended to existing thread by editor

Q. Corrosion repair on aluminium mast. I have a high performance catamaran with a light weight anodised aluminum mast. I have found a corrosion perforation where some salt was trapped under the mast rest on the trailer. I have washed it down with spirit vinegar to neutralise the area. Can anyone advise on the best method of fully neutralising the corroded area & best repair technique? I am considering drilling the corroded area out then filling with a neutral cure silicone sealer (strength is not a concern but full sealing against water ingress in the event of a capsize is crucial).

Any advice gratefully received.

David Bosley
Consumer - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia