There have been a lot of replies to this thread, but I would like to offer
two thoughts of interest. First the best, cheapest, durable and most
attractive solution is professional powder coat. It makes no sense to do
this at home because it is not less expensive and unless you have made the
seriously expensive investment in preparation tools and equipment, it won't
be as good. The cost of professional end to end powder coating is less than
the cost of high quality paint ignoring your time and labor. Secondly, if
the corrosion in the aluminum is pitted and then professionally bead
blasted alone any new coating, including powdercoat will fail because of
salt deposits within the crevices of the corrosion. This problem can be so
severe that placing a virgin piece of aluminum on top of this corroded and
prepared piece will cause the virgin piece to start to corrode within hours
of intimate contact. The only solution to this problem that I have found
that I know works is thoroughly wash the prepared piece after beadblasting
with vinegar, then flush with fresh water. This appears to effectively
neutralize any residual salts.
Steve

wrote in message
...
I have a bunch of folding mast steps - the kind made from 2 cast alum
pieces. I took them off the mast before I repainted it with LP - now
I'd like to clean them up and put them back. They're uncoated alum so
have a white powdery dusty feel to them now. What to do with them ??
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