Has anyone painted there mast or beams, If so what paint did you use and how has it held up?
I saw it done on a local boat but wasn't able to talk to the owner about it. It looked really good but I am concerned about it will hold up over time.
I am getting ready to rebuild my N5.2 and thought I would look into it before getting to far along.
Thanks for any ideas you may have
Have painted several masts & beams. After sanding, Rustoleum flat or gloss black. Pete
I've used an acid etch designed for painting aluminum. Seemed to work well, but no blind trial. Another set without the etch, painted with automotive two part paint did have some bubbles and peeling after 5 or 6 years. Like all paint projects, prep is the key to long term success. Removing as much of the hardware as possible, and careful reattachment will be helpful. Use quality paint, although I've also had good results with Rustoleum.
Dave
Aluminum needs a Vinyl wash to prep it for paint
kernunnos wrote: Aluminum needs a Vinyl wash to prep it for paint
Vinyl wash?? I tried googling that and came up with nothing.
Yeah, tell us more!
Regarding the "Vinyl wash" I ran across this, it sounds like a product similar to paint “liquid sandpaper” or De-glosser
http://www.yachtpaint.com/usa/diy/ask-the-experts/how-do-i-paint-my-anodized-aluminum-mast.aspx
But I would like to hear from Steve if this is what he was referring to
Thanks
Vinyl wash is a primer for aluminum or galvanized metal.
Painting aluminum is sketchy at best. Prep is the key of course.
Anodizing is a coating applied with electricity similar to chroming. If you sand with 60 grit it will tear up the surface significantly.
Yes I believe the product in the link from ohmsj is the precoat used before epoxy primer.
If it were me I'd sand the entire mast with wet paper, starting at 400 to give it a consistant finish.
you will have to coat it with something, I prefer epoxy to just about anything for toughness.
Vinyl wash refers to an Interlux product that has been discontinued. It was an etching primer for bare metal.
The problem with epoxy paint is that it chalks in the sun.
Perhaps this product:
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=12214&familyName=WEST+System+860+Aluminum+Etch+Kit
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=4153
Edited by gahamby on Nov 16, 2014 - 04:48 PM.