How do I Refinish My Aluminum Boom?
Original Message:
Subj: Aluminum Boom
I have my boom at home and want to strip all the oxidation off and
then wax it. I can use the vibrator sander on it to get rid of all
the nastiness. Now what can I do to keep it looking good. I am using
fine sandpaper to keep it smooth. What do I coat it with?
Capt Al, "Kindred Spirit" http://kindred-spirit.net,
ALWSAIL@aol.com
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
The local marine store will have some special (and not so cheap)
aluminum wax. I sanded and waxed my boom also. Now the boom is
darker than the mast (probably from the wax), but has no corrosion.
Richard, r_clack@hotmail.com (richard clack)
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
Capt.Al,
Last year I restored the luster of my aluminum boom and spar using a
buffer and some 3M Heavy Duty Rubbing Compound...the results were
amazing!!!! Looked like polished chrome when I was done...but you
may desire less shine in the end...I wiped everything down with a
clean cloth, then followed with a carnuba wax. The finish has held
up well in the weather, so far...
Good Luck, Ed, Billsbay@aol.com
Subj: Re: [C34] Aluminum Boom
From: pklein@interaccess.com (Phill Klein)
I have found that good old SOS pads do a great job on cleaning
aluminum. I personally wouldn't use a power tool for risk of
creating surface marks. After cleaning aluminum all I have ever used
was wax. I would suggest you let the boom re-oxidize a bit before
putting on any coating. Have you thought of how bad your mast will
look after you clean the boom? Do you really want to do this
project.
Phill, pklein@interaccess.com (Phill Klein)
Subj: Re: [C34] Aluminum Boom
<< I miss the painted aluminum spars of my Nimble 24. Good
luck in your battle with entropy. >>
Charlie:
I have the painted mast/boom on the '91 C34 and also hide under the
bimini so I don’t have to look at them. All the bubbles and
galvanic corrosion look like hell. I have unscrewed all the
fasteners I could, cleaned up the area and reattached using
anti-seizing compound. Wish the original owner had done this as
Catalina didn’t seem to use anything to isolate the SS fittings
from the aluminum spars. it is particularly bad where the halyards
exit the mast via the SS fittings attached with SS rivets.
Your Nimble must have had better paint or something on its mast. by
the way, Entropy, Inc. is what I keep thinking we should have named
our company as is the best description of what we actually do me
thinks...
Jack, C34 # 1169, Port A, TX, Asailorir@aol.com
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
Al:
Don't sand and don't strip. If you do, you will need to paint it, or
seal it. Catalina's extrusions have a coating material that can
easily be removed. Once removed, it will oxidize and/or corrode
faster than you can spell rust! Be careful what you do to make it
look good.
Bill & Jayne Quinn, C30 Illusion III, SN4023, Portsmouth, NH,
C30SN4023@aol.com
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
Aluminum like copper will protect itself from further deteriation
once it has a thin oxidization layer. The other thing to keep in
mind that there is a process of anodizing aluminum to make it harder
and less subject to pitting and the like it also darkens the color
as well so it looks duller - I have heard people say that sanding
the mast can remove that protective layer and you are worse off than
before. I did notice that 3M makes two different aluminum polish
formulas, one for anodized and one for non. One of the guys at the
yard told me that if your mast isn't painted then it's the anodized
kind and a little non abrasive wax will help it but don't sand or
use abrasive polish. If it's painted then it's probably not and you
can strip it and repaint it. I just use a little paste wax on mine.
Dave, Second Wind, dpbcc@galaxy.net (DaveB)
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
Its true that the oxidation on the mast provides protection.
However, you can paint it once you clean it up and probably have a
lot more protection than the oxidation ever provided. Especially if
you use a polyurethane paint. It is very important that the mast be
properly cleaned and primed though. Check with a marine paint
manufacturer for the proper process for painting a mast. When I
checked into this several years ago I decided that it was more work
than I wanted to do. What I do plan on doing is cleaning up my boom
and then to match the natural aluminum color. Doing this to keep the
aluminum stains off my mainsail.
Bob Uehlein, Menagerie C-30TRBS #2318, Charlevoix, MI, Menageri@ACD.net
Subj: Re: Aluminum Boom
Considering how much pitting and oxidation was on my boom (1982 and
always in saltwater) I think the coating was either never there or
is gone by now. I sanded mine and used aluminum wax on it. So far 4
months later it is still smooth and not pitted. I can let you know
in a few more years...
Richard, r_clack@hotmail.com (richard clack)
Important: The opinions expressed here are
those of the individual contributors to this page, and not those of
the Catalina 34 National Association or Catalina Yachts, Inc.
Additionally, this material has not been reviewed by Catalina
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suggested modifications or upgrades. Please obtain assistance from a
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