Alluminum Cleaning

[newf1]

I have completely restored the inside of my 14ft Lund fishing boat. I am now ready to attempt to clean the outside alluminum hull below the painted area.<br /><br />Can anyone tell me what to use to rid of the alluminum oxidization and restore to a smooth surface. I tried to use some alluminum/chrom automotive polish but will take forever and doesn't work very well.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[cajun555]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Try this site: www.perfectpolish.com

 

[newf1]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Nuvite appears to be expensive. I may but polish for a finisher.<br /><br />Could I just lightly sand aluminum with a sanding disk in a drill/palm sander and then finish it with polish

 

[cajun555]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

I would not use a power sander on it. Now on my old boat polishing the top half, I used a wet sand #400, plenty of water, went in a back and forth motion, then used a heavy duty rubbing compound, then went over it with Mothers Alum. polish. Alot of work but well worth it if you want a boat that shines.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Go to your local janitorial supply house and ask for a gallon of AlumaBrite. They may have it under a different trade name, but it is an acid used by trucking firms to clean aluminum truck bodies. It is pretty mean stuff...usually hydroflouric, & you MUST wear protective clothing...gloves, glasses, respirator, etc. But it will clean it up.<br /><br />Or, go to Wal Mart and buy some mag & aluminum wheel cleaner...should also be an acid type product but is probably less agressive.

 

[djvan]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Be careful with alumabrite type products, we once used them on our aluminum truck fuel tanks, some got under the mounting straps and ate holes in a few of our tanks. A thorough rinse is required.<br /><br />DougV>

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Unless you have something seriously wrong with the surface of that aluminum, I’d be inclined to not touch it. Clean with a sponge and soap and water. That's it. Aluminum immediately bonds with an oxygen molecule in the air and creates a surface that will not further oxidize (corrode) unless placed in stagnant water. I would not compromise that naturally occurring protective layer on the aluminum.

 

[newf1]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

Thanks for all the info.<br /><br />I ended up just buying some automotive polish, buffed the surface lightly with a scotch pad, and gave her a coat of polish. Good enough.<br /><br />The ice up here in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, is goin fast and this newfie's got to get her in the water to test out the 1985 20 HP evinrude motor I rebuilt last year (just incase there are any problems).<br /><br />Cheers fellers.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Alluminum Cleaning

18rabbit and djvan are both correct. Unless you just have to have it shiny, the best thing to do is just leave it alone.