UV protection for carbon mast.
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Repair & maintenance
Forum Discription: Questions & tips on the subject
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12349
Printed Date: 11 May 25 at 12:37am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: UV protection for carbon mast.
Posted By: Do Different
Subject: UV protection for carbon mast.
Date Posted: 25 Mar 16 at 8:38pm
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Thoughts please for products to protect a carbon mast from UV damage. btw. I guess not all masts are the same but to what extent and how does UV actually damage a mast, is it the resin or fibre which degrades? |
Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 25 Mar 16 at 9:08pm
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UV degrades the resin, and then the fibre falls off. Usually under your fingernails...
White paint is undoubtedly best. Next is pale coloured paint. Although a lot of varnishes are claimed to be UV opaque, varnish does seem to peel after a while to a far far greater extent than white paint, which makes me suspect that outer layer of varnish the resin was bonded to is still suffering, albeit to a much lesser extent. If your spar lives in the garage I imagine varnish is fine, but if its out in the weather 24*7 I personally, and without real evidence, don't trust it. |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 8:00am
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If you have an unstayed mast you can get a sock that you can hoist using the halyard. I guess you could get something similar done for a stayed mast but it would be quite fiddly to get it to sit right. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 10:48am
Chris Gould at Creation Covers does those mast covers that you can hoist on unstayed rigs. I've seen some on OK's and they looked pretty good. Not sure it would really be doable if the mast has shrouds and spreaders though.... |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 11:21am
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Thanks for help. Any recommendations for paint / varnish brands or formulations. Too much clutter for a cover, lowers, spreaders & wires.
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Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 12:01pm
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A guy at Hunts had his Phantom mast painted in white 2 pack with the plasticiser they user on car bumpers mixed in, worked really well and looked good after several years where varnished masts were showing signs of needing attention. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 1:44pm
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Two pot polyurethane from any of the major brands would be my standard choice. I've used car paint too though. Anything designed to be out in all weathers ought to be good. I can't imagine a mast surface distorts enough locally for there to be the need for any special precautions. Biggest threat to it is probably tapping halyards.
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Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 26 Mar 16 at 2:20pm
Thanks again. 
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Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 14 Sep 16 at 3:49pm
| Old thread but I've used automotive 'aluminium' paint rattle-cans on a 100% carbon windsurfing mast that was shedding fibres when handling it. It's still fine (if tatty now) several years later. |