I have had very good luck removing "gunk" from my mast using a product called DRI-WASH 'N GUARD Metal polish. It takes off corrosion and crud quite well. I then finish with DRI-WASH 'N GUARD WATERLESS CAR WASH for a slick and slippery surface. The same combination works extremely well on severely oxidized glass hulls and decks. Just make sure you don't put the car wash product anywhere you want to step. it's very slippery. These products are available from local salespeople, of which I am one in the Ottawa area. A number of my sailing friends at BYC are customers.
John Irvin

I've received 16 oz of Burnieshine Aluminum Brightener which I'm happy to see is an acid cleaning product. I appreciate the words of caution from some of the listers; intend to use it very carefully and to keep it away from rigging, other than the mast. Hope to be able to retain any residual so that it doesn't get into the environment. I'll probably use the spinnaker pole or reaching strut to test methods and precautions before I go after the mast.
source info: Burnishine Products -- 1100 LAKESIDE DRIVE, GURNEE, ILLINOIS, USA, 60031 -- PHONE 800-837-8140 or 847-263-3500 FAX 847-263-3500
EMAIL burnishine@aol.com
Took a little over a week for delivery after a phone inquiry. $9 + including shipping for 16 ozs.
Again, thanks. -- Bill

Where do you get the Dri-Wash 'n Guard products in the London, Ontario area? I've been thinking of refinishing my mast but if it can be cleaned up I think I'll save a lot of time, money and labour. I was contemplating refinishing with Interlux 2 part epoxy but it seems that in order to do it there will be about 5 different coats of various products including at least 2 coats of the epoxy. A friend of mine in the bodyshop business warns that he is skeptical of anything successfully sticking to aluminum for a long time. I'm not sure now that even after all the work and expense that the paint will last. So cleaning may be an alternative, if the product can be found locally? I've read articles about painting aluminum masts on older boats as it is suggested that the anodization, if there was any originally, has probably worn off and the aluminum is quietly oxidizing away.This leaves you with gloomy thoughts of what that might eventually mean.

Try this. dri-wash.com DRI WASH 'n GUARD Detailing Products Waterless Car WashDave Dickmeyer C&C Redwing "Tinuviel"