sandblasting pontoons

[BrianMc]

Re: sandblasting pontoons

I had a solid 1/8" of hard buildup on my toons when I started. When I first seen it I though no problem I'll squirt some acid on there and power wash them right off. Didn't cut it at all. I think it's an algae buildup through the season,then when they'd pull it out for the winter it turned hard. Do that for 10 years you have a thick layer. Since your only 100 miles from me I'd bet it's the same "crud".

I was in the same boat as you. With it wet already sanding really didn't work. A wire wheel on a grinder did,but cut the aluminum too much. What I ended up doing was letting it dry out,then 120 grit on a random orbital would turn it to dust. After that went with quick passes of 150 and 180 taking the previous scratches off. Then went with the nuvite polish to buff it out. Sharks hide protectant after the final buff. After one season it still shines,and crud power washes right off. Took a lot of work,but you've seen what mine looks like. Up to the individual I guess to decide if it's worth it.

On a side note, I had the same crud on my Honda. Didn't want to sand on it,so I tried some toilet bowl cleaner. It melted right off and the Honda paint shined at me when I rinsed it. Thought,are you kidding me! Don't know if that works on aluminum,but it's worth a try. Wished I would have tried it.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: sandblasting pontoons

I went through gallons of toilet bowl cleaner last year with little to no improvement so after sanding it down a way's. I thought I'd try again it didn't work. So I'm sanding it all off and unfortunately have found some pitting in the aluminum so I feel that I'm bound to having to at least coat the bottom half and everything I have read about por-15 is my choice at this time. I think my boat had 25 years of build up on it .

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: sandblasting pontoons

Por-15 is made to submerged in water. I have read just about everything on there website from the prep to the final results I have also been in contact with the company told them what my intentions for the product is the only advice that they gave was to use a UV resistant top coat. I thought the cost wasn't to bad like 130.00 for a gallon. That's cheap compared to epoxy primer and bottom paint. I do appreciate the opinion of someone that has used the product may I ask which method yo use to apply it ? And what problems you had in the process? What would you change about the application process next time you use it ?

 

[alldodge]

Re: sandblasting pontoons

Por-15 is made to submerged in water. I have read just about everything on there website from the prep to the final results I have also been in contact with the company told them what my intentions for the product is the only advice that they gave was to use a UV resistant top coat. I thought the cost wasn't to bad like 130.00 for a gallon. That's cheap compared to epoxy primer and bottom paint. I do appreciate the opinion of someone that has used the product may I ask which method yo use to apply it ? And what problems you had in the process? What would you change about the application process next time you use it ?

With any paint it will need to be redone later. Marine bottom paint is designed differently then POR15. If a marine ablative paint is used it can be kept fairly clean looking with little work. Not saying it will not work with POR15, don't know, but it is something to think about.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: sandblasting pontoons

POR15 is a different animal. If applied properly, you will have a material that is bonded perfectly to the metal. Its not a paint, per se. It is permanently bonded to the metal. To apply, you need multiple steps involved which includes cleaning and an etching process. One drop of water gets in the gallon and the product won't bond....even a drop of sweat. Its awful to deal with in that way. You have to be really careful and the surface has to be perfectly dry. If you have a surface that may still have some organic material on it, I assume it won't bond correctly. So, you wither need bare metal, or oxidized metal for it to work.

The pits that you see on the toons are from under-deposit corrosion. Depending how deep they are, they may need to be filled first.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Re: sandblasting pontoons

Well. I got the por15 applied this weekend first coat I was a bit skeptical second coat and wow! I strongly recommend it so far it bonded the masking tape to the aluminum now have to sand it off.