Aluminum Tracks
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- Skilled Systems Installer
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Aluminum Tracks
My son has acquired an old Albin Scampi that he is in the process of bringing back. I have a quick question. I'd like to take some fine sandpaper and clean up her aluminum tracks as I might with the bronze tracks on my boat. Question: are aluminum tracks anodized? They don't appear to be, but, if they are, stripping the anodizing could allow them to corrode.
Celerity - 1970 Morgan 30
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?
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- Skilled Systems Installer
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
Alright. 28 people have viewed my question, but nobody's answered.
Is the question
1) too hard?
2) too dumb?
3) in the wrong place?
Is the question
1) too hard?
2) too dumb?
3) in the wrong place?
Celerity - 1970 Morgan 30
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?
Re: Aluminum Tracks
Well, speaking for myself, I just don't know. I have this idea that most (all?) aluminum tracks are anodized, yet you say it does not look like it is, and... I can't see it. I'm assuming sail sheeting track, but don't know for sure from the description.
Other than that, I'm on it ;)
Other than that, I'm on it ;)
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
I would think it is anodized. And if so, then sanding is not a good thing. If it isn't, then sanding will clean it up, but it won't last long before pitting and such appears.
Dave Finnegan
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
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Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
builder of Spindrift 9N #521 'Wingë'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gresham’s Law of information: Bad information drives out good. No matter how long ago a correction for a particular error may have appeared in print or online, it never seems to catch up with the ever-widening distribution of the error.
- Tim
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
I don't know if your tracks are anodized or not. Brand-new aluminum T- tracks are anodized, either black or clear, but that doesn't mean yours are or aren't. As always, a picture is worth 1000 words. Speaking in generalities in response to a specific question is relatively worthless.
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Forum Founder--No Longer Participating
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- Master of the Arcane
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
You could just alodine them when you are done sanding. Alodine is the low brow chemical version of anodizing. In either method the only purpose is to create a thin layer of corrosion on the surface that will protect the metal beneath.
Or just use a good primer and paint the tracks when you are done sanding.
Or just use a good primer and paint the tracks when you are done sanding.
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
I would bet they were originally anodized, otherwise there would be a lot of corrosion after all these years.
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
bcooke said ... "Or just use a good primer and paint the tracks when you are done sanding."
I hasten to say, not any old primer because ... If they're aluminum, and the anodising has been removed, they should be cleaned and painted with Chromate primer. This will etch itself onto the surface to make a permanent base for a finish coat ... I would suggest you Google "Painting Aluminum" and you'll learn more about refinishing aluminum than you ever thought you needed to know. (It's NOT as simple as one would think) ... How do I know? Simply because, I've recently been reading up on it myself.
I'm about to purchase some chromate paint for a pair of new, bare aluminum spreaders ... Once they're primed, I will probably paint them either "Off White" or "Bone" color. I really wanted them anodised however, the cost to do so at the local plating shop is prohibitive. Further, I'm now considering doing the mast and boom too. I'd love to have it all done professionally but, the costs are getting higher than I'm willing to pay therefore, I shall attempt to educate myself on the internet and take it from there.
I hasten to say, not any old primer because ... If they're aluminum, and the anodising has been removed, they should be cleaned and painted with Chromate primer. This will etch itself onto the surface to make a permanent base for a finish coat ... I would suggest you Google "Painting Aluminum" and you'll learn more about refinishing aluminum than you ever thought you needed to know. (It's NOT as simple as one would think) ... How do I know? Simply because, I've recently been reading up on it myself.
I'm about to purchase some chromate paint for a pair of new, bare aluminum spreaders ... Once they're primed, I will probably paint them either "Off White" or "Bone" color. I really wanted them anodised however, the cost to do so at the local plating shop is prohibitive. Further, I'm now considering doing the mast and boom too. I'd love to have it all done professionally but, the costs are getting higher than I'm willing to pay therefore, I shall attempt to educate myself on the internet and take it from there.
I am: Bob of Wight.
s/v 'Ros Na Cosquin'
a 'Passage - 24'
There are good ships, there are wood ships, and these ships sail the sea
But the best ship, is friendship and may this always be! ... ... ... A prayer from Ireland.
s/v 'Ros Na Cosquin'
a 'Passage - 24'
There are good ships, there are wood ships, and these ships sail the sea
But the best ship, is friendship and may this always be! ... ... ... A prayer from Ireland.
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- Master of the Arcane
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
Yes, definitely not any primer. I am not sure what would be considered 'best' but it probably needs to be considered as a companion to the final paint. I think the chromates are on the way to becoming a bit old fashioned but they have certainly been the primer of choice for aluminum in the past and probably do the same decent job today that they have always done.
Personally, I would skip Google because there is far more bad information than good on the Internet. An automotive paint store or some other profesional retailer could probably steer you towards the latest and greatest.
The alodine chemicals are available at the auto paint stores too. You might be able to ask around for a shop that can anodize if you are feeling really ambitious.
Personally, I would skip Google because there is far more bad information than good on the Internet. An automotive paint store or some other profesional retailer could probably steer you towards the latest and greatest.
The alodine chemicals are available at the auto paint stores too. You might be able to ask around for a shop that can anodize if you are feeling really ambitious.
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Re: Aluminum Tracks
Thanks for the replies. I will leave the tracks alone, for right now, and get a photo up when it stops raining here at the end of the week.
Again, I am convinced that this is the best forum, on any subject, on the web. I am or have been a member of numerous forums on boats, cars, motorcycles, guitars, amplifiers, diesel engines, guns... None have had the quantity, quality, civility, or activity of this forum. Thanks to all you forumites and, most of all, thanks Tim for starting & maintaining the site.
Again, I am convinced that this is the best forum, on any subject, on the web. I am or have been a member of numerous forums on boats, cars, motorcycles, guitars, amplifiers, diesel engines, guns... None have had the quantity, quality, civility, or activity of this forum. Thanks to all you forumites and, most of all, thanks Tim for starting & maintaining the site.
Celerity - 1970 Morgan 30
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?
How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges in it?