Cleaning very caked pontoons?

[CharlesW]

After less than good results, in fact practically no results on the caked growth. I am looking for more suggestions. Used Zing Aluminum Pontoon Cleaner, about $35 for a gallon, recommended highly by a boat supply store. Didn't do squat for the caked on growth. Made the aluminum above the waterline look great. I have a question about the different suggestions that have been made, Alumibrite, muriatic acid, what have you. Have you used the product on pontoons that probably haven't been cleaned for years? The stuff is 1/16" to 1/8" thick in some areas. My next product, I would like to be something that actually will remove the stuff. Could I get some feedback from some of you who have had really bad growth and were able to remove it without resorting to a sander or grinder? Right now, I am totally lost. (That happens a lot though, so I don't get too worked up about things.)<br /><br />Charles

 

[ob]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Have you considered renting a good high pressure washer.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

ob:<br />It was suggested that I go to Home Depot and do just that. I went to Home Depot and they told me they didn't rent pressure washers.<br />So, yes, I have considered it. No, I haven't done it.<br />The boat is 80 miles away, so I need to find something I can haul to the area. I considered buying one, but the $200+ for a good one kinda stopped me.<br /><br />Charles

 

[ob]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Check near the area where the boat is stored for an industrial tool rental place that may carry a selection of some decent pressure washers.There are places where I live that you can go rent small duplex plunger type water blasters with different nozzles that would make short work of those pontoons.Good luck.

 

[jpbaker]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

CharlesW, I used Alumibrite on a pontoon that had a pretty good buildup of crud on it , You're going to have to bite the bullet and use some good ole' fashion elbow grease. If it's that thick you might get by with a pressure washer for the top coat. But you're still going to have to<br />go with something abrasive like a Scotch Brite pad or even a heavy gauge steel wool.. Couldn't do mine all at once, but with some Alumibrite, and a Scotch Brite pad (and some hard rubbing) it paid off . <br /><br />**** Alumibrite.... $2.35<br />**** Heavy Duty Scotch Brite Pad.... $3.25<br />**** A Little Water and Elbow Grease... $.00<br />**** Icy Hot and a Good Heating pad... Priceless.<br />

"Of course that's just my opinion, but I could be wrong."

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

ob: lol. There isn't even a hardware store in that area. The nearest Wal*Mart is 35 miles away. Not too handy.<br /><br />jp: I have a good Porter Cable random orbit sander. I had considered using it, but I was afraid that the scratches that would probably result would cause even more growth. Might be worth checking into a little further.<br /><br />Charles

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

I just haul mine out and pressure wash it a couple of times a year, that is all that is needed, and will not harm the aluminum, as some chemicals will.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Just for a little more information.<br />I bought this pontoon boat used. It is a 1986 model and the pontoons very likely have not been cleaned for 5 or 6 years. I tried to clean them in the spring and had very poor results. I ran out of time, so in the water it went and has been there for another season. Now that it is out, I would like to get the buildup removed. My first attempt with the Zing did practically nothing on the crusty stuff. I went over one area three times with the Zing cleaner and really can't see that it is doing any more to the crust. Seems like it is time to change products and/or procedures.<br />What I'm really trying to come up with is something that works. It's 80 miles each way any time I go try something. If what I do works, great. If I keep trying something that doesn't work, I will probably end up just letting it stay cruddy. Actually, I can't do that, it bothers me too much.<br />If a pressure washer will take the several years accumulation off, I will find one. If A specific product will remove the crud without eating a hole in the pontoons, I will buy it. Just like to be sure that whatever my next action is will be productive. Really feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. <br />Charles

 

[speedwrench]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Pressure washer, and you will find lots of other jobs for it once you have one.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

If the boat is in the water currently why dont you find a nice sandy beach and beach the boat several times or drag it through a sand bar.This would resemble sand blasting to some small extent.It is worth a try.Charlie

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

speedwrench: The pressure washer has been recommended several times. Have you removed really heavy accumulation with a pressure washer? I'm kinda leery of it taking the stuff off. I'm about ready to get the 3M Scotchbrite abrasive pads and take it off manually.<br /><br />crazy charlie: I'm about ready to try something like that. It is not in the water now. It is up on blocks so I could use the acid based cleaner I bought without having to worry about any damage to the trailer. <br /><br />Charles

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Napier paint strippers will remove hard asbestos mastic- but I don't know if it would work on accumulated marine growth.It works by migrating right through to the substrate and breaking the surface bond and the resulting gas lifts off the coating,fascilitating the removal.I haven't heard of whether it would work on marine growth, but it's worth a try.I'd contact them first and ask www.napierenvironmental .com

 

[ratherbefishin]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

bad gateway- try it at www.napierenvironmental.com

 

[ob]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Or some tartar control Crest. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Waterblast it off or have it waterblasted.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

ob:<br />Could your latest post possibly be translated to:<br />Quit screwing around, just go get the pressure washer and be done with it.<br /><br />Charles

 

[ob]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Something along those lines.Bare in mind that one of those Barbie Doll washers ain't gonna cut it.If you can't get your hands on a good one to rent,find an outfit that does waterblasting for a living.They refer to the hand held wands as shotguns.Good luck.

 

[wvit100]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

If you let it sit in the water right up to the time your about ready to start to pressure wash it the stuff comes off a lot easier. It it sits out of water until the growth dries it really gets stuck on there. I'm getting ready to take my boat out of the water this weekend and am getting the wash and wax stuff ready so I can get to work on it as soon as I get it home.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Just came from United Rental. For $60 a day, I can rent a 2000# or a 3000# unit. A customer that was there recommended using bleach on the crusty algae first, then hitting it with the 3000# unit and a rotary tip. He is into the restoration of equipment of all types and thinks the pontoons will look new. He also suggests being extremely careful with that kind of power. People rent them to strip paint from their houses and end up stripping the siding. He also says the tip is important and that the rotary he suggested is much less likely to damage anything. With the right(wrong) tip, he says the 3000# unit will blow a hole right through the aluminum. Also through you, your gloves or your foot. Need to be very careful.<br />I saw a 2000# unit in operation with one of the extreme pressure tips and the guy was standing 8' away from the equipment he was cleaning. Those are some powerful machines. <br /><br />Charles

 

[GodsBeast]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

Charles W, I have not tried it yet, but on two other Pontoon Sites, I have heard a product named SHARKHIDE, makes short work of cleaning Pontoons. Most Manufactors, advise against using sanding products. No disrespect to other advisors, but consider the damage you may do by dragging your pontoons through anything, I'd be afraid of Denting or puncturing, or breaking Welds. Unlike dragging a smaller Aluminum boat with a flatter surface, would be exceptable. <br /><br />The other two sites are THE PONTOON WEB SITE, and the other one is PONTOON BOATING. These are two other boating forums like this one, that are geared more toward Pontoon Boats in perticular, and those are the sites I saw SHARKHIDE getting good reviews.<br /><br />Hope this helps, GodsBeast

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Cleaning very caked pontoons?

GodsBeast:<br />Both those sites are on my list, but I thought the SharkHide was more for protecting clean pontoons. Maybe I need to go back and read some more.<br /><br />Charles