carbon fiber mast maintenance

yjchun · #1 (**permalink**) 06-08-2011

Hello.
My new boat, freedom 30's mast looks dull (looks badly affected by UV) and gray with strains. I tried to remove strains first with soap but no success. My guess is the mast should look shiny white when it was new.

Advice me how to maintain carbon fiber mast and what to do to make it look good.
Thanks. Chun.

treilley · #2 (**permalink**) 06-08-2011

I think the Freedom masts had a gelcoat or some other coatings on top of the CF to protect it. It is not uncommon for this to look dull and show cracks.

Not sure what you can do. Checking with other freedom owners is a good idea.

SJ34 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011

Re-paint

capecodda · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011

I've got a carbon stick that is Awlgripped, for what it's worth (not a Freedom). My guess is as SJ34 suggests, it maybe time for a new paint job.

yjchun · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011

Repainting here means reapplying gelcoat? or any alternative, simpler and cheaper? and do i need sanding? looking up awlgrip in forums, it sounds not easy to be applied on big mast.
Please give me a little more details or a reference where i have to look. my handbook does not cover carbon fiber mast.

I'm a beginner and hiring a professional here in japan is very expensive. I'm in the process of learning just now and am ready to be challenged but still i hope it does not involve very sophisticated job.

mitiempo · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2011

Like any surface it has to be prepared per the paint manufacturers recommendations. Remove loose paint, sand lightly to remove any rough spots and provide a key for the paint. Solvent wash to remove any dust or grease. Then paint.

It was painted, probably not gelcoated as gel is not a great surface for epoxy. Carbon fiber left uncoated is black.