Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

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Banker Ed

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I just finished taking 6 coats of paint off of this old 1954 aluminum Arkansaw Travler and need some help with ideas about buffing it out. I just can't seem to be able to get it back like original. I have tried aluminum wash, rubbing compound, vinigar, polishing wax etc. Nothing seems to work quite right. I am thinking about buying some type of buffer for my angle grinder. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks. Ed Bell
 
Woodonglass

Woodonglass

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Goggle up "SharkHide" You can make it look like chrome. Search the forum for BigHoss and see what it did for his Tinny!!!
 
kfa4303

kfa4303

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Great to have another Arkansas Traveler owner in the forums. The link below may help you find out a bit more info. As far as getting here to shine, you'll need to clean the aluminum using sharkhide, alumabrite or similar product, then LOTS of elbow grease and aluminum mag wheel polish. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Arkansas traveler - Classic Boat Library
 
carribbean soul

carribbean soul

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Hate to say it buy those sanding scuff marks aint going to buff out.
 
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Banker Ed

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Wood, I goggled sharkhide and I may give it a try. I also looked at Big Hoss?s link, very helpful. Thanks Ed Bell

Jig, that was quite the interesting youtube. Seems like a lot of work and time but that would be nice. Probably couldn?t put sharkhide over that polish. I just got a contract back today on a new home so my boating days may end, thanks to a move. I guess at 70 it should have been an assisted living facility but it?s not. It's a house and 15 acres. Thanks again for all of your help. You guys here on iboats are something. (What great help)

Kaf, thanks for the AT link. I have seen it before. Mine is a SP 14 but completely gutted and trashed out. From the serial number and the best I can tell mine is a 1954 but it?s just an old fishing boat now. Someone else here on iboats has the neatest 1954 SP-14, but mine is nothing like his. His is super neat-0! Ed Bell

Carribbean, you are probably right but in looking at the youtube video Jig posted, if I had the staying power, it looks like most of them could come out. Probably won't have the time. I am going to work on it some more if I can find the time and will keep you posted. Ed Bell
 
jbcurt00

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Whats happening over this way this weekend?
 
GT1000000

GT1000000

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Hi Ed,
Just wanted you to know that every grit of finer and finer sandpaper WILL remove the scuff/scratch marks and you can do it with the D/A...
I am sorry I didn't document it when I did it, but recently a co-worker brought me a damaged aluminum prop from his boat...it had two bent blades and it looked like CARP! All scratched, scraped and scarred...
After straightening the blades, I went to town using my D/A...started with 80 grit to get most of the bad stuff gone, then progressed through every grit till I reached 800...then hit it with some rubbing compound and a variable speed polisher, afterwards hit it with some polish and when I gave the prop back to my co-worker, he thought I went out and bought him a brand new Stainless Steel prop...
I'll admit that there were still some minor scratches that were too deep to completely eliminate, but the final product looked incredible...

Yes, I did say 80 grit, that is not a typo...and the actual job took about an hour or so...remember, it was just a prop...you have a 'boat-load' of real estate to do...

If you decide to do it, you can...just take it a little at a time...do a section...take it to a full shine...that will inspire you to keep going...if you are so inclined that is...:rolleyes:

And best of luck with the new homestead...:D
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

A pretty Saturday pulled me off of my boat project and lead me on a motorcycle junt to Corinth, MS for ribs and than on to Shilo National Civil War Park along with about 15 other bikers from up in around Memphis. We pretty well took the Rib Shack in Corinth over. Ed Bell
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

I took my boat off of the trailer yesterday and turned it upside down on saw horses again. I sprayed some real high power aluminum wash on it in one small section. It looks like it is going to take a lot of the discoloration out of it. I plan to do the whole boat today, weather and time permitting. I may have one homestead project today, which will take up some time. I am trying to get a metal building built and need some quotes. Suppose to meet a man there today for that purpose. Ed Bell

3713asmall.jpg
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Didn't have a picture of the boat back on saw horses.
 
gm280

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

If you get it too shiny, won't it scare off the fish...:laugh:

Just kidding. Actually it would look real nice like that video of the fuel tank polished out. Would look too nice to use...
 
dozerII

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

gm280 said:
If you get it too shiny, won't it scare off the fish...:laugh:

Just kidding. Actually it would look real nice like that video of the fuel tank polished out. Would look too nice to use...
Click to expand...

If you get it real shiney the fish come to look at them selves, and if you happen to have an edible looking bait hanging around, they can't stop them selves from tasting.:D
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

GT, what's a D/A? Ed Bell
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Wood, Thanks! Off to Harbor Freight tomorrow. While the compressor I have isn't big enough for the sand-blaster I recently purchased, it will work just fine to run that sander, which only requires 4 CFM at 90 PSI, acording to its specs. Thanks again. Ed Bell
 
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Banker Ed

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Don't guess I am going to shine it up. I am almost through with the outside. Still need to get the numbers on it and the trim work around the edges. Then for the inside. I did get a piece of plywood back in the transom and a coat of self etching primer on the two seats where the casting seats will be going. Rain all day kept me away today. Here are a couple more pictures. Ed Bell

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GT1000000

GT1000000

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

Looking good Ed...

Just another crazy thought...while you may not want to polish it, and leaving it kind of in a satin finish is going to look really nice...here is another technique you could apply to it...Keep on having fun!:)

Jeweling, Engine Turning

Eamonn Keogh's Engine Turning Page
 
V153

V153

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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

A 4" grinder & some 'pearl discs' work wonders:
 

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Banker Ed

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Re: Need help buffing out an old aluminum boat after taking 6 coats of paint off.

GT1000000 said:
Looking good Ed...

Just another crazy thought...while you may not want to polish it, and leaving it kind of in a satin finish is going to look really nice...here is another technique you could apply to it...Keep on having fun!:)

Jeweling, Engine Turning

Eamonn Keogh's Engine Turning Page
Click to expand...

Thanks GT, if it didn't have so many drilled holes in the sides of the boat that I have filled with rivets and if I wasn't moving, I may consider it. May time is going to be at a premium now. But, thanks for the info and the thought. That would be a great idea. Kinda looks like diamond-plating. Ed Bell
 
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