Mast Step Corrosion

[follysurf]

So, I recently dropped my mast and in the process of bringing it down the mast step was detached from the boat and is 'permanently' stuck in the base of the mast.

Any ideas or types of solutions that could eat away the corrosion so the step can be removed from inside the mast?

This weekend I tried using PB Blaster to seperate them with no luck. I have also used an old screwdriver/ hammer combo to try to knock it out (carefully)with no luck.

[fordo]

I have heard that soaking it in Coca-Cola ovenight will dissolve the corrosion. Haven't tried it myself but it comes from a reliable source. Good luck.

[SlowButSteady]

Heat it gently with a propane torch... add PB Blaster... bang it with a hammer a few times... repeat until you get results.

Remember, the butt of the mast has to take all of the load induced by the stay/shroud tension plus the weight of the mast. If the corrosion is bad enough you may have to look into getting the butt (bottom) of your mast redone. Not terribly cheap, but a fraction of the cost of a new mast.

[SimonV]

If you can soak it in a bucket of white vinigar over night or longer.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by SimonV

If you can soak it in a bucket of white vinigar over night or longer.

Vinegar will eat at the corrosion as well as the metal. I might try it, but would not leave it overnight. At most, I would check each hour. You might also find that you permanently discolor the outside of the mast, due to the subtle acid etching.

I would try heating the mast first, as mentioned above.

[follysurf]

I will try the heating idea. I guess the key is to move the flame around so as to not damage/ deform the base of the mast in the process. Does heating the outside of the mast loosen up the connection/ corrosion on the inside. Obviously I can direct the flame at the joint of the step and mast base on the outside. The step goes about an inch deep into the mast.

I do like the coca-cola idea as well. It is good at cleaning corrosion off of battery terminals so it should probably work here as well.

Thanks for the help!

[mm2187]

I would be very careful using heat and oils to remove at the same time!

[MarkSF]

Everything I have read on the subject suggests that PB blaster is the most effective penetrating oil you can buy. However it might need a week or two to work.

Is it really getting into the siezed joint? If not drill a hole or two in the mast so that it can.

It would also help if you can apply continuous tension. Can they lift the mast while you suspend a weight from the mast base? Or rig some tackle to pull on the mast base against the mast?

[Rockter]

It really can sieze very solid.
It may need some persuasion.
I guess heat, and mild hammering, and penetrating oil, and vinegar, and Coca-Cola will all have to be tried, methinks.
.

[MarkSF]

What you need to do is spray PB blaster daily. It might take a week or two to work.

Your problem when applying an impact is that it will try to twist the mast base in the mast which will make it more stuck.

However if you do want to try impact, a screwdriver and hammer are worthless. Get a large cold chisel and a large, heavy lump hammer. These will apply far more kinetic energy than a hammer with much more control and safety.

Then apply impact on alternate sides of the mast so as to even out the force. I'd suggest a few days, at least, of regular PB blaster applications before you try this.

A guy on the Jaguar forum had an XK cylinder head stuck to the block. He got a hoist, and suspended the entire front end of the car in the air BY the cylinder head (bolts removed). Then he sprayed PB Blaster on, every night. After 8 days he found the car on the ground and the head in the air.