Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

[fisherman34]

I've been reading all the ideas and suggestions about cleaning and polishing aluminum toons. After all this money and effort I would like to protect the surfaces, and avoid having to repeat the process. Does anyone have any thoughts, or experience on spraying with poly urethane to protect the surface.

 

[Bamby]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

http://www.sharkhide.com/

The above product is specifically designed specifically for the application you are looking for. Have read many good results for this product.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

We used Sharkyde at work for a whiie and it is a good product, just watch your fenders as they will rub through the sharkhyde and leave bare tube.

Paint doesn't stick to aluminum so no on the polyurathane.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

I guess coating is ok if you don't mind constant touch ups. If you talking a clear coat it can become very unsightly.with dings and scratches looking awful and difficult to deal with.I have an unpainted 51 year old crestliner
utility that is untouched, hosed occasionally never polished or rubbed out.
Is it pretty?, no but it is just as sound as it ever was and from 15 ft looks pretty good.If you like that polished look (which is really nice) clearcoat won't work be prepared to polish.My 12yr old pontoon spends all summer in the St Lawrence still looks ok never been touched.Doesn't seem to grow moss are anything terrible looking, Even though it sits weeks at a time in a shallow relatively warm slip,so I guess I'm lucky.

 

[tbirder]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

I've been reading all the ideas and suggestions about cleaning and polishing aluminum toons. After all this money and effort I would like to protect the surfaces, and avoid having to repeat the process. Does anyone have any thoughts, or experience on spraying with poly urethane to protect the surface.

Hey there fisherman,
Mi name is Clint, and I own the company that produces the SHARKHIDE line of products. I like to be up front with folks so they know who their talking to.
So not to upset any one (moderators included), I'm not here to sell any one any thing, but rather try to explain the products and answer any questions you may have. The biggest problem I encounter in my business is incorect information given by either folks that have used Sharkhide incorectly, or even worse, folks that have not used it at all.
So if I can answer any questions about cleaning, polishing or protecting pontoons or any other types of aluminum hulls, please feel free to fire away. I'll do my very best to answer.
Clint

 

[tbirder]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

I've been reading all the ideas and suggestions about cleaning and polishing aluminum toons. After all this money and effort I would like to protect the surfaces, and avoid having to repeat the process. Does anyone have any thoughts, or experience on spraying with poly urethane to protect the surface.

Hi there fisherman,
I've come up with a couple photo's for you since you've posted this question. I hope these help to answer your questions.

This is a boat we polished and protected (with Sharkhide products) earlier this summer. These shots were taken before it hit the water.

This next shot is of the same boat after one weekend in the water at Kentucky Lake, and one weekend in Lake Kinkaid. If you look closley, you will see a dark horizontal streak in the middle of the pontoon. This was a spot I missed when I was wiping on the Sharkhide Metal Protectant.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

As a soon to be new pontoon owner, is Sharkhide mainly to preserve that new boat look or is it to keep marine growth from attaching itself to the logs?

At least one mfg'r (I forgot the name) mentioned that they apply Sharkhide to their units. I only mention this as an individual, I couldn't apply the product over all the logs as they must sit on something to hold the boat up.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

The Sharkhide is an excellent product that I have used for years on my toons. It is for cosmetic use and does not claim to prevent marine growth, but will inhibit it from sticking as well. I wouldn't worry about getting the part that sits on the bunks, as you never see it anyway. If applied every couple of years or so, it will keep the logs looking great, although bumpers, Etc. will rub through it if allowed to. If buying a new toon, it's best to apply it before it hits the water to keep it looking new. My present toon has 2 seasons on it now and the logs look almost as good as the day I bought it. This is after being on the water for over 110 hours total.

 

[tbirder]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

As a soon to be new pontoon owner, is Sharkhide mainly to preserve that new boat look or is it to keep marine growth from attaching itself to the logs?

At least one mfg'r (I forgot the name) mentioned that they apply Sharkhide to their units. I only mention this as an individual, I couldn't apply the product over all the logs as they must sit on something to hold the boat up.

Hey there OldePharte,
That name cracks me up!
First of all, congrat's on the new boat. I wish I was shopping for one about now.
To try to answer your first question, Sharkhide Metal Protectant is designed to keep that nice new "Mill Fainish" looking good for years between coats. Actualy, any finish (Mill, acid washed or polished) can be protected.
Sharkhide is NOT an anti fouling paint, but some customers will tell you it makes cleaning algea and such off the hull a lot easier. I don't push this because that's not what Sharkhide is designed to do. If you would find cleaning easier, I would just consider that a bonus.
As far as having to suspend the boat goes, that's not at all required to apply Sharkhide. I would say up to 95% of all the treated boats are done when on the trailer. Reason being is you can't see the un treated spots when on the trailer or when in the water. And even if you did coat the area's that sit on the bunks, the Sharkhide would be ground off those spots the first few times you would trailer the boat.
I hope this helps you OldePharte!
LOL...love that name.
Clint


Here's a shot of the transome of a fishing boat. This boat was coated with Sharkhide a couple years back, and see's plenty of fishing time in the pacific north west. After just a couple years of both fresh and salt water exposure, you can plainly see the spots the customer missed when he originally wiped on the Sharkhide.

 

[tbirder]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

The Sharkhide is an excellent product that I have used for years on my toons. It is for cosmetic use and does not claim to prevent marine growth, but will inhibit it from sticking as well. I wouldn't worry about getting the part that sits on the bunks, as you never see it anyway. If applied every couple of years or so, it will keep the logs looking great, although bumpers, Etc. will rub through it if allowed to. If buying a new toon, it's best to apply it before it hits the water to keep it looking new. My present toon has 2 seasons on it now and the logs look almost as good as the day I bought it. This is after being on the water for over 110 hours total.

Hey there buddy,
Long time no see!
Thank you so much for the kind words and sharing your "hands on experience" with Sharkhide.
Sorry I can't afford to put you on pay roll for being so nice, but I can offer you a frosty adult beverage some time this summer.
Well have to hook up out on the water some time.
Clint

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

tbirder - I chose my screen name 'cause I are one; an OldePharte.

Anywho, I will be attending our 2 local boat shows and will be buying a new triple log pontoon. And the great thing is that I am operating under orders from the Bosslady, formerly known as She Who Must Be Obeyed. The last moniker was way too much of a mouthful.

I have read many threads on different boat sites and all mentioned your product. As my boat will sit on a boat lift, any cleaning/shinning should be a snap. As long as the water isn't too rough. Don't need a trailer.

Another question - will this work on the fence railing as well? I plan on adding LEDs and the shiny metal would sparkle at night.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

Another question - will this work on the fence railing as well? I plan on adding LEDs and the shiny metal would sparkle at night.

OP, not sure that's LEGAL if you're running at night. Anchored, yes.

Good luck shopping.

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

OP, not sure that's LEGAL if you're running at night. Anchored, yes.

Good luck shopping.

I would be running with the normal navigation lights, but would also run extra exterior lighting. Our lake is rife with large cruisers, express and cabin types, along with the offshore boats of all makes. Couple that with a night time speed limit of 30 mph, rarely enforced, I want to be as visible as possible.

As long as I keep the LEDs under the deck, but above the logs, below the outside of top rail, and inset a bit on the bimini top, they shouldn't affect my night vision that much.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

I would be running with the normal navigation lights, but would also run extra exterior lighting. Our lake is rife with large cruisers, express and cabin types, along with the offshore boats of all makes. Couple that with a night time speed limit of 30 mph, rarely enforced, I want to be as visible as possible.

As long as I keep the LEDs under the deck, but above the logs, below the outside of top rail, and inset a bit on the bimini top, they shouldn't affect my night vision that much.

I don't believe you are LEGAL.

The Water Cops won't take kindly to your reasoning.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

30 mph at night!!!! YIKES!

I night fish all the time and even on water I know like the back of my hand I never go faster than 10-15, speed limit in Indiana is 10 after dark.

Oh and Tbirder, sweet boat, I love the look of polished aluminum especially on a Bennington, very nice.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

Oh and Tbirder, sweet boat, I love the look of polished aluminum especially on a Bennington, very nice.

Sure does!. I wish I'd known about that stuff before we splashed our two toons.

Tbirder,

What are the chances of cleaning older toons up and getting a good application? Tips?

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

I don't believe you are LEGAL.

The Water Cops won't take kindly to your reasoning.

I'll talk to them at one of the upcoming boat shows to find out. Basically, real nice people.

BTW - Our lake is also patrolled on some holiday weekends by the Coast Guard, so we have 2 sets of boating regs to follow. Unfortunately, they rarely show up at the boat shows.

Sorry, to hijack the thread.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

OP,

No "hijack".

I just don't want to see you get into a little "discussion" with the water 5-0 that may damper an otherwise nice cruise.

When you talk to the authorities, just ask about adding lights to your boat that are not regulation. By law, there are big differences between being underway and at anchor.

Enjoy. Let us see some pic's when you get it!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

About 8 months ago I emailed the Missouri State Water Patrol about the use of docking lights at night for navigation purposes (temporary or otherwise) if necessary. I was told at the time that although they had no "on the book" regulations prohibiting their use or any other type lighting, they did recommend using only the standard navigation lights (which of course is required) and no others. He did say that this law was in the works to be changed by the 1st of the year (2009) and only navigation lighting will be allowed from then on. Ironically enough this past summer I was pulled over one night at Lake of the Ozarks for having my port side navigation light out. I explained that I did not know it was out and he let me go on my way with a warning and told me I must turn on my docking lights and continue to use them until I reached my destination (about 5 miles away). So I guess the best thing to do is ask them at one of the shows or email the Water Patrol to see if this law has changed yet or will by next spring. I know that many boats at Lake use lighting other than the ones required and I've never heard of anyone being stopped for it. Bout the only time I use any other lighting is to spot buoys in the water in real dark nights, But even then, it's only a quick flash of the docking lights..

 

[tbirder]

Re: Is spraying the toons with poly urethane, after cleaning,a good idea ?

tbirder - I chose my screen name 'cause I are one; an OldePharte.

Another question - will this work on the fence railing as well? I plan on adding LEDs and the shiny metal would sparkle at night.

Hey OldePharte,
You bet it will work. Railings are "Hard Coat Anodized" from the plant and even though it takes a lot longer than raw aluminum to show stains and corrosion it still will eventually start looking bad.
Just swipe a coat of Sharkhide on them when you do your pontoons and you'll be set for many years.
Clint