To re paint the mast or strip it bare

[m_netherton]

I have a 1978 Endeavour sloop and I am looking at the original paint on the mast having 34 years of halyards slapping against it and general wear. I was looking at stripping it and repainting it next summer. Then someone suggested I strip it and leave it bare. I assume that it was a milled finish originally. Can this be done? or should I just repaint?