Champlainmonster
Recruit
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2010
- Messages
- 3
Hello Everyone!
My wife and I recently picked up a 2003 14 ft Lund with a 15 hp 2006 Johnson Outboard motor. MY DREAM BOAT.
The boat is a bit beat up and definitely used but the motor looks like it was just bought new. So, I am VERY excited to be here on this forum and was hoping to help a few of you out if you find yourself in a situation similar to mine.
The hull is in sound strong condition but looks like garbage due to water lines, stains and lack of upkeep. Although structurally good, it is rather embarrassing to be seen towing! After some research on the forums concerning different products to clean with, I settled on CLR. CLR did next to nothing to clean the hull and transom, even at full strength and no water used to dilute. For light stains, I am sure it would be fine, but for caked on stuff I needed to chemicaly attack the aluminum in order to get it clean.
Toon-Brite was my next shot. A great many posts are out there warning about or not understanding how it really works. Toon-Brite chemically cleans the aluminum. Depending on the concentration ( you have to mix the cleaner with warm water in order to dilute the cleaner. You are left to guess and concoct the appropriate mixture depending on how well the boat gets cleaned), you might notice a white film. Most posters, in my opinion, are trying to clean the aluminum and expect it to be like it was on the show floor. Although Toon-Brite will clean the aluminum, it will not POLISH it! So, what you are left with is a clean boat but a white chemical residue.
To get the white residue off, you need to now POLISH the boat. There are a great many number of aluminum polishers out there and a great many different polishing techniques. As I don't have workshop or a vast amount of money to spend on toys because of the downward economy, I would suggest Brasso or Mothers aluminum polisher, some old tee-shirts or rags, some shade and some good old fashioned elbow grease. Just apply in small sections, rub it in good with the application rag, and wipe clean with some elbow grease and a new clean rag. After a few hours, a beer or five and some patience, TA-DA! All polished and looking nice.
To ensure that you don't have to waste your Saturday doing this again, be sure to pick up a wax or sealer. Sharkhide gets rave reviews on the forums here. I am sure there are others.
A vast assortment of other cleaners, polishes and waxes are available. My main concern is to have people understand that when using a chemical wash like Toon-Brite to clean Aluminum, the job is not done at merely rinsing. The chemical clean will always leave some type of residue and to give it that showroom shine people are thinking they will get from merely applying and rinsing, you need to polish, polish polish! To keep that sine and protect that aluminum from corrosion, water stains, etc, a wax or protective coating needs to be applied after polishing. Not only will it save you time and money in the long run, but it will keep your boat looking great and moving quick on the water.
Thanks for Reading.
My wife and I recently picked up a 2003 14 ft Lund with a 15 hp 2006 Johnson Outboard motor. MY DREAM BOAT.
The boat is a bit beat up and definitely used but the motor looks like it was just bought new. So, I am VERY excited to be here on this forum and was hoping to help a few of you out if you find yourself in a situation similar to mine.The hull is in sound strong condition but looks like garbage due to water lines, stains and lack of upkeep. Although structurally good, it is rather embarrassing to be seen towing! After some research on the forums concerning different products to clean with, I settled on CLR. CLR did next to nothing to clean the hull and transom, even at full strength and no water used to dilute. For light stains, I am sure it would be fine, but for caked on stuff I needed to chemicaly attack the aluminum in order to get it clean.
Toon-Brite was my next shot. A great many posts are out there warning about or not understanding how it really works. Toon-Brite chemically cleans the aluminum. Depending on the concentration ( you have to mix the cleaner with warm water in order to dilute the cleaner. You are left to guess and concoct the appropriate mixture depending on how well the boat gets cleaned), you might notice a white film. Most posters, in my opinion, are trying to clean the aluminum and expect it to be like it was on the show floor. Although Toon-Brite will clean the aluminum, it will not POLISH it! So, what you are left with is a clean boat but a white chemical residue.
To get the white residue off, you need to now POLISH the boat. There are a great many number of aluminum polishers out there and a great many different polishing techniques. As I don't have workshop or a vast amount of money to spend on toys because of the downward economy, I would suggest Brasso or Mothers aluminum polisher, some old tee-shirts or rags, some shade and some good old fashioned elbow grease. Just apply in small sections, rub it in good with the application rag, and wipe clean with some elbow grease and a new clean rag. After a few hours, a beer or five and some patience, TA-DA! All polished and looking nice.
To ensure that you don't have to waste your Saturday doing this again, be sure to pick up a wax or sealer. Sharkhide gets rave reviews on the forums here. I am sure there are others.
A vast assortment of other cleaners, polishes and waxes are available. My main concern is to have people understand that when using a chemical wash like Toon-Brite to clean Aluminum, the job is not done at merely rinsing. The chemical clean will always leave some type of residue and to give it that showroom shine people are thinking they will get from merely applying and rinsing, you need to polish, polish polish! To keep that sine and protect that aluminum from corrosion, water stains, etc, a wax or protective coating needs to be applied after polishing. Not only will it save you time and money in the long run, but it will keep your boat looking great and moving quick on the water.
Thanks for Reading.
