Acid cleaning aluminum boats

[leebo95]

Yesterday while out fishing in my Aluminum boat I had a battery rub againt a bolt and work a hole in it. I did not find this out till this afternoon when I saw a bluetee shirt that had been in the boat had turned purple.
I went to the boat and could see a distinct line where the battery acid had mixed with the little bit of water in the hull. I took a 4 lb box of baking soda and hose and neutralized it. Once it was all rinsed out the areas that had acid where nice and clean.
Does anyone know of a acid product that you can buy to clean a hull?
Thanks,
Lee

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

The acid ate that metal...... using acid on aluminum is not advisable...... good way to destroy the boat.

 

[leebo95]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

I understand it ate a small amount of surface area. In doing that it removed the corrosion and crap. I saw on the net that people use vinigar to clean alu pots so I tried that on a pair of alu fishing pliers,I will check results in the morning.
Commercial Alu cleaning is done with Hydroflouric acid from what I have seen, which is some nasty stuff. I have used it at work for years but always in a tightly controled enviorment.
I have to believe there is a product on the market that is set up for cleaning hulls with out a ****load of elbow grease.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

I work for a trucking firm. We have a truck wash bay that uses hydrofluoric acid in a solution (not full strength) as an aluminum cleaner. It will effectively clean aluminum, however it can be over done. It will completely dull polished aluminum! It works well on brightened aluminum if used sparingly. If you buy the pure product be sure to dilute it and take precautions using it. It is an acid. One, maybe two, spray cleanings with it is all it normally takes to get it as clean as it is going to get.
The best way I have found to use it at home is to use a garden sprayer. Simply spray it on the surface let it work a few seconds at a time and spray it off with water.
An even easier way is to remove everything from your boat and run tow rig and all through a wash bay at the truck stop. Its good stuff and wont damage anything if you use good sense.

 

[leebo95]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

I work with HF at work in varing strenghts. It is not to be trifeld with. So far I have not found any place that sells it.
Lee

 

[drewpster]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

One

http://www.hueychemical.com/productdetails.asp?id=1#

Two

http://www.streakmaster.com/order_products_now.htm

Ah three

http://www.lyndist.com/lynproductsheets/sec_acid_cleaners/aluminum_brightener_concentrate_ABC.htm

4

http://shop.echemproducts.com/p-25-ultra-clean-ab.aspx

 

[lowkee]

Re: Acid cleaning aluminum boats

Maybe try muriatic acid and water? A gallon of muriatic acid can be bought at HD or lowes for $10. I add it to our pool at the beginning of each season.