Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

[josh6780]

so here is what I am going to do with my boat. What is the best way to do it?

the bottom part is going to be harder than the side. So do you think I should sand it. Or just keep polishing till it looks like the side.

Here is a pic.





http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b161/josh6780/?action=view&current=DSC01670.jpg

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

What are you using to polish it??

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

I'm no expert - but I'd be inclined to sand with 100 - 120 grit in straigt lines that run from bow to stern to minimize any pattern you'll produce, then polish from there. The question is how to keep the polished look when you're done. I understand that this is very labor intensive, but I don't know for sure.

I didn't polish my aluminum boat, but I did sand as described to arrive at a uniform finish before I repainted portions of the hull.

 

[josh6780]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

Well, then my next question would be.

How quickly will it oxidize to were it does not look shiny anymore?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

If you plan on sanding 100 grit is far too coarse, try some 400 to 600 or finer.

It won't last long unless you coat it with some type sealer, it will start to become dull in as little as a few weeks. There are many products designed to protect it, Sharkhide is a product that's very popular around my area.

 

[lexkyboater]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I have an aluminum boat that was painted for use as a duck boat, and I thought about using aircraft remover to remove the paint. I would think that would also shine it up? I've never heard of Shakhide. I'm in central Kentucky, are there other products used to protect the shine?

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

when i did my aluminum boat i used comet. Thats right comet and it shined it up like yours verry easily. Its gritty and i just put comet on the boat in a area and used a wet rag to buff it. It was verry easy. Try it on a section i think you will be suprised how easy it shines it up just like your picture. And comet is cheap and i bet you already have some under your kitchen sink!

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

comet will just shine it up it wont protect it from getting dull again in a few weeks you will need to get something to protect it once its all cleaned up. Im telling you try the comet and a wet rag. You will be suprised. Comet is gritty and its not water soluiable. So the grains of the comet do the work for you. You have to wet it a little though or it dosent work as easily. The trick is to not wet it too much so it washes off, and to not let it be too dry so that it makes a paste. Try it and let me know what you think.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

This comes up from time to time - Does anyone have a contact with American Airlines maintenance & could ask what they do to their airplanes?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

there is a lot of info if you google 'polishing aluminum'

 

[josh6780]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

I am going to try that comet tomorrow.

 

[thinksun]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

Wet sand to remove most of pitting up to 1000 or finer grit. Use 00 then 0000 grade steel wool and Hosiers metal polish. Buff with dry towel. Do not use fake polishing products like mothers or neverdull unless you want to have a stroke.

Here's a transom plate I just did. Raw stock aluminum and Hosiers in 2 minutes. It looks like chrome in person. Royal Purple can seal plate for lasting shine.

 

[6228SH]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

theese guys have good ideas,but on something as big as a boat,go rent/borrow or grab your car polisher! there are sticks of diffarent grade compounds for buffing aluminum,but almost anything will work-it's mainly elbow grease and going with a polisher saves so much time...you might try simichrome polish with whatever method you choose to apply it-the real trick is in rubbing it out until the cloth/buffing pad no longer brings up the black garbage you rub off the aluminum. for keeping it up,dont overlook plain old wax-

 

[woosterken]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

check at a truck stop or ALCOA web site.used to get a clear sealer for the aluminum wheels on my semi after they were polished.it was a spray on.
woosterken

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

if you use steel wool get all the remanents of the steel wool of or it will rust and stain the aluminum.

 

[WaterWitch2]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

if you use steel wool get all the remanents of the steel wool of or it will rust and stain the aluminum.

How about using bronze wool so you dont get rust stains?

 

[crossent]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

I owned a detail shop for 12 years an still use a product called Magic Mix www.valco-cp.com for polishing. A company called Zoops www.zoops.com makes a product to protect alum. for up to 2 years.
Mike

 

[thinksun]

Re: Here is my result from polishing. (and I have questions.)

How about using bronze wool so you dont get rust stains?

I have never seen it fine or durable enough. And as stated above get the reminants off which should happen with final wipe.