I have this white corrosion in my mast base, i'm note sure if it's just the metal that's eaten away by it, or if the white stuff is just filling up the grip grooves and therefore making the grip not grip so good...

Is there a way to get rid of that white stuff? To clean it out?

I tried to bath it in vinegar, coke, and then rub a steal brush over it but it doesn't looks like that's working at all. (I live in a place where new equipment or parts is hard to get, that's why I ask how to fix this).

Right now it doesn't grip too good anymore, so I have to wrap the rope around the mast after pulling it through the grip - to make sure it doesn't loosen while riding.

Photos would be helpful.
It sounds like the aluminium is oxidising which is fairly common especially if you have slightly older gear. I'm not sure what you could do about it apart from replace it if its old and you are worried about the integrity of it.

I guess you're talking about the "cam cleat" on the mast extension.




Some can be replaced, some ...well... you're better off buying a new extension :-)

yes that one, replacing is not an option in the short term, it's ok though, still works, just i can't quickly adjust since I have to loosen the rope around the mast every time and then tie it back again to do that

CLR clear

Gently file with a three square file ( you would call it a triangle file )the grooves deeper giving a sharper point that should bite in better you might have to use a little bit thicker rope . But that's a fix with no parts.

My response is based upon corrosion control measures used on aircraft parts made from aluminium alloys. The white powder is probably aluminium oxide, underneath which the surface is probably pitted. One of the treatments would be to mechanically remove the oxides then treat the surface with chemical. Back in the day, this would be a mixture of phosphoric acid (Mineral 1 suggested CLR, which is basically phosphoric acid...smells like it anyway). Further treatment is then required to prevent the corrosion simply starting up again. We used to use a highly toxic chemical called Alodine 1200S. I am pretty certain that you would not have access to this stuff, so some alternative may be needed. Something like a zinc chromate primer might help to give the metal some protection, but it wouldn't be perfect by any means.

Get a small wire brush and give it a quick once over to remove all of the loose stuff, then get her painted, or better yet powder coated.

Be careful using vinegar, just had an experience with jammed pulleys (brass) on a extension. Decided to soak it in vinegar for several days to try and free them up, it almost ate the alloy cleat away entirely.

Time to buy a new extension, probably slogged out elsewhere if the cleat is like that. alloy could snap, q/release pin could give way.
Safety first with wind gear, you dont want failure 1 k offshore.

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seanhogan said..
I guess you're talking about the "cam cleat" on the mast extension.




Some can be replaced, some ...well... you're better off buying a new extension :-)

"Clam" cleat.