Cleaning Toons

phipps

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
385
I was wondering what most people use to clean their toon. I need to scrub off a bunch of algae.
 

south texas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
48
Re: Cleaning Toons

While prepping my 'toons for bottom paint, I cleaned off barnacles using toilet bowl cleaner. It really worked well for removing the oxidation on my 10 yr. old pontoons! The actually shined... I don't know if I'd use it on a new boat, but for an old dog it worked well.
 

phipps

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 20, 2008
Messages
385
Re: Cleaning Toons

How long do you leave it on?

I have a bunch of crusty stuff on the lower half that is going to take something strong to get off.
 

Bennettc

Seaman
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
57
Re: Cleaning Toons

I had a lot of "crust" also. You can use any of the cleaners or acids that people mention, but it takes a long time and many coats to take it off. Apply cleaner, rinse, repeat. I still haven't cleaned the inside half of my pontoons.
 

pontoonwolf

Recruit
Joined
Mar 23, 2009
Messages
2
Re: Cleaning Toons

If you have a larger toon such as a 24' like I did. Take it to a polish shop for semi's. They charge very little to put an acid mixture to it, and clean it free of all debres. They can also put a polish on the toons, that is second to none.
They use the same compound that is used on fuel tanks for semis.
 

south texas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
48
Re: Cleaning Toons

How long do you leave it on?

I have a bunch of crusty stuff on the lower half that is going to take something strong to get off.

I sprayed/brushed it directly to the barnacle and let it sit a few munutes, then scraped with a plastic scraper to remove it. If it didn't come off, I repeated the process. It really wasn't too difficult, but you need to wear gloves, eye protection, etc. It is nasty stuff.. I worked in 3' sections..

Muratic acid works well too, but it's a little more caustic.
 

south texas

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 9, 2009
Messages
48
Re: Cleaning Toons

If you have a larger toon such as a 24' like I did. Take it to a polish shop for semi's. They charge very little to put an acid mixture to it, and clean it free of all debres. They can also put a polish on the toons, that is second to none.
They use the same compound that is used on fuel tanks for semis.


That's an awesome idea! Those guys are pros at polishing aluminum.. That's what I'll do next time - rinse off the big chunks and drop it off!!
 

Bennettc

Seaman
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
57
Re: Cleaning Toons

That is a good idea about a polish shop. How would you find one? How much do you think it costs?
 
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