The mast on my Nicholson 35 was originally anodized a gold color. The last 28 years have taken their toll on the surface finish, both where the halyards rub against the mast and simply because of general weathering. Is it practical to repaint the mast, and if so, what surface preparation is required?
Jack Corey responds:
Thanks for your question. We recommend sanding most of the anodizing off the mast before painting. Like any paint job, surface preparation and painting conditions are key considerations for a good finish job. After sanding, you should apply an acid etching to all the parts that you intend to paint. Then you can start with an epoxy primer and then apply your top coats once that has cured. We recommend three coats all together. One minor consideration is the weight you'll be adding to the spar, which I don't really feel is much of a factor on most boats. Given that a gallon of paint only weighs 10 pounds, the adverse effect on boat performance will be negligible. I hope this information helps you with your project. Best of luck.
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