Carbon mast is fading in spots

[John Wolfe]

I noticed this weekend that the carbon mast on Breakaway is becoming blotchy and fading in spots.  Is this normal?  Is there something I should be doing maintenance wise to keep this from getting worse?  The surface is still smooth.  It just seems like a color change.  Photos attached. 

Appreciate any advice on this.

Thanks,

John Wolfe

[Michael Eisenberg]

From correspondence I had with C-Tech:

Q: What do you recommend for recoating for UV protection? I have a couple of areas around the mainsail luff area that are turning white. I want to recoat the entire mast. I'm not sure what quality of material is available in California. Specific recommendations are welcome.

A: The clear coat we use is a DuPont 696 automotive paint.

[Jake Cartwright]

John,

UFO's carbon mast looks about like yours. I had carbon mast experience on a Wyliecat 30 I owned in SF Bay, same thing happened. Some WC 30 guys have just painted their mast, as the clearcoat breaks down with UV rays. UFO is in Redding now, very hot in the summer. I am going to touch up the clear coat this spring, but the C-Tech guys suggested painting the entire mast white at some point. As of now, the tops of the spreaders are painted (C-Tech recommendation) due to the heat build up on the horizontal surface.

Jake

[John Wolfe]

Thanks for the info guys.  I am thinking I might paint the mast as a longer term solution.  Do you know if this is a job only for a boatyard or are there less expensive options to explore?

[Jake Cartwright]

John, my Wyliecat friend who paints his carbon mast just says to go to the auto supply store and get a can of Duplicolor self etching primer and follow up with Duplicolor topcoat. He says to get something that strips any wax off the mast before you paint. He's had the boat 10 years, his mast looks great, so I guess it works. When I paint mine, that is what I'll do.

But this is second hand advice, I haven't done it, just a caveat!
Jake

[Glenn VanHeel]

We used awlgrip two part clear on our Viper mast. Sprayed on.

Our U20 is still tin.

[John Wolfe]

Jake,

Thanks for the tip.  I am going to try the Duplicolor Enamel this Spring.  I will let you know how it works.  Can't be any worse than the stuff C-Tech used that only last about a year and a half.

Now the big question is which color - Red, Yellow or Purple?  (Is there a class rule on mast color?)

- John

[Billy Ellis]

I just painted mine with a 2 part epoxy paint. I used black so it would hide scratches. White seems to get marked up pretty quick.

[Chuck Ballew]

I'm going to paint my carbon mast soon. Have the same white spots developing and flaking on the spreaders.  Any suggestions on how. Should I sand it, what grit, whats are good brush on paint to use. Any suggestions would be appreciated. You can reach me at 800-231-6666 extension 223.

[John Wolfe]

Surfing the maintenance treads and thought I should provide the promised update on using Duplicolor auto paint on the C-tech mast.

It has been ten years now and the black paint has held up very well.  I have just had to touch up a few areas (e.g. spreader tops) over the years were the paint happened to craze, crack or chip off.   I sanded these problem areas a bit and sprayed some additional paint on. This touch up has worked well too.