restoring a 57' aluminum boat

[1973Chieftain]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

2 product lines that several guys on here have used is Sonus and Sharkhide (DozerII and jasoutside/Big Hoss respectively). Im planning on using Sonus on my '55 but have not started yet. Those 3 members have excellt step by step instructions in their threads.

 

[hnkogan]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

Hi, I did find some threads with pictures but not the step by step instructions.. If you could send me links, or advize how to search for themm...
Thank you!
Hana

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=528421&highlight=sonus

Here is DozerII's

 

[kfa4303]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

I've also head of folks having good luck using an industrial cleaning product called "Alumabrite".

 

[Star]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

Kogan,
There aren't many steps to this system. Brush compound on to the alum. you want to polish and buff it until you cut through the anodized surface. Wash down with soap and water. Your problem is that rivit lines and recessed seams will be difficult. This is a 1961 Starcraft. Also the sun bouncing off of a polished surface is blinding and HOT so you may want to dull some of it down with SOS pads. I did my seats out of Mahogany because the originals were made of it and lasted30 years. Birch is not good, red oak is better but it turns black when wet if it isn't coated. White oak is good but more expensive. Here are the pics.

 

[hnkogan]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

OK, so I understood so far that there are three schools of different approaches to polishing the anodized aluminum:
1.Dry sand with progressively finer sandpaper, etc.
2. Use some abrasive comp[ound to remove the anodized layer. Then sand as above.
3. Your way: use polishing paste to both remove the anodized layer and polish.
Am I right?
I any case, I have a Feathercraft here, is there the "best" way for this particular boat? (perhaps the matal is finished differently by different makers.
Thanks!
Hana

 

[hnkogan]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

Oh, and looking at the inside of your boat, did you polish the inside, too? Same technique?
H

 

[Star]

Re: restoring a 57' aluminum boat

Inside was just done with SOS pads, very easy! I don't have any experience with anodized alum. I know that it really toughens up the top layer and makes it more chemical resistent. You have a grinder just get a real lambs wool pad for it at a body shop supply, they also woulld have a bottle of machine rubbing compound that may be better than the 7 compound I gave you a picture of.. not all compounds are the same. Do a test patch on the bottom, You will be supprised how fast it polishes. All these weenies here seam to think it is too much work... Once it is done I hit it with a buffer twice a season to keep it up. I am mostly in fresh water, but it is used in Long Island Sound many times during the summer. Some alum. alloys hold up better to oxidation than others. The compound will either work or not, your cost is a rubber support disk, wool pad, and compound, elbow grease!!! DO tell me how do you get the transom inside that hull.