Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

[martybhawk]

Someone said clean, shiney toons will get better speed and mileage. Sounds logical but is the effort and expense worth the return. My toons are 13 yrs old and have pitting below water line. Looking for advice on best way to restore them. I have cleaned them with acid to get crud off.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

bottom paint.

 

[martybhawk]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

Are you saying to paint the toons?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

yeah, water line down. with bottom paint especially if keep in the water.

 

[shadetree918]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

I am working on this also. A daunting task. I too have piting below waterline. I cleaned mine with an aluminum cleaner I found at a semi-trailer shop they use to clean those big tanker trailers. Works great and doesn't choke you to death like muratic acid but will eat your skin if not careful. mixes 70 to 1, so 1 gal should be plenty.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

Agree with TD, definately paint with bottom paint, also add some anodes.

 

[martybhawk]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

Should I sand out the pitts first before painting?

 

[Windykid]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

I would give it a good pressure wash. clean, prep and paint.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

nearly impossible to sandout the pitts.
Pressure wash with baking soda in the water.
Then straight water then chemical etch and paint.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Pontoon Cleaning - Is it worth the effort?

How much pitting do you have? Corrosion on aluminum is like cancer, what you see is likely not all of it. Get all of the white stuff out of the pits and see how deep they are.​