Selden Mast Scratches

[Claudia Allison]

HI All,

Selden mast was scratched when unstepped :( photos below

Anyone has experience with Selden on this type of damage?  Would like to learn how compromised this area is, what if anything we may do to help protect for the future, and thoughts on dollar damage that was incurred?  

Thank you!

Claudia

2019 Catalina 355

[Jeffrey Hare]

To repair the light scratches that don't go all the way through the anodized hardcoat,  you'll need some lubricant like Sprayon 711, some glass cleaner or alcohol and a medium scotch bright pad.   Spray on the lubricant and very lightly along the length of the mast, just buff over the scratches *lightly and gently* just to clean and smooth off the scratches.  You don't really want to polish it, just make them hide as much as possible (and clean out the dirt that makes them show).

Where it doesn't go all the way through the hardcoat, they may disappear.  Where they go through, this will soften the appearance.  I've heard of people taking some 320 grit sand paper and laying it over deeper scratch lines and tapping it lightly with a smooth-faced hammer to apply a little texture to blend the scratch.  I've done this with some aluminum in the past and it worked surprisingly well to hide a scratch.  It wasn't a clearcoated finish and I'm not sure if there's a clear coat on this mast or not.  I suspect not.

The trick is not to do too much here. just enought to lighten and blend the scratch.  Then, wipe on/off some clearcoat finish so that it just coats the deeper parts of the scratch.   

I'm not an expert at this, but this is what I did on my old Charleston Spar mast when it was scratched during shipping.  It was way better afterward, but not perfect.  

-Jeff Hare

#17 

[Claudia Allison]

thank you, Jeff!

Wanted to share what learned direct from Selden for future reference:

Scratches are not an issue.  The alloy will not corrode.   Natural oxidation will take place.   Suggest you remove any sharp areas with a green scotch pad. Do not paint the mast. This will cause filiform corrosion.  

Dents / deformation means the mast is totaled.  
 
Soap and water and a non-silicone based wax is best
 
Link to hints and advice from our web site:

https://support.seldenmast.com/files/595-540-E.pdf