Aluminum stains

[Deleted User]

graemlins/1zhelp.gif What do you guys use on your sleds to remove stains from the hull and other aluminum parts?
Thanks,
Fool

[MADWIZERD]

you buy a painted boat :cheers:

[Pete]

When I first fished my shiny boat in the Columbia, it turned brownish purple. I cleaned it with polishing compound and elbow grease. Then I sealed the aluminum with a product called SharkHyde. Several years later it isn't as shiny, but it hasn't stained again.

[DK]

i've used m.e.k. and steel wool on aluminum valve covers when they were oxadized and stained came out looking like new, don;t know if you have any kind of protecting coating that the m.e.k might penetrate? or just straight aluminum? just don't rub real hard let the m.e.k. work and use the steel wool as a polishing, cleaning rag, dk

[WaterDog]

Use to use Heavy Metal Green and Red formula. Works good and protects well.

Now I dont care, the boat is made to use. :rolleyes: :wink:

[Thick-N-Thin]

Jettin,

The method I use works well. I haven't found an easy way without some elbow grease.

First go over the area with a 3M grey or burnt red Scotch Brite pad and work with the grain of the aluminum. Work out the stain using the 3M pad. You can then follow up with wet sand paper like 200 grit if need be. Go back over with aluminum polish like never dull and bring back to original shine. This works very well for scratches and gouges in your aluminum trim that is polished.

I have also found that sometimes a phosphoric acid (typically an industrial shower cleaner) will remove some stains. The acid cleaner works great to bring back the new look to your galvinized trailer and wheels.

The 3M pads can be found usually at an industrial paint place or a Janitorial supply Co like Easterday Supply.

Good Luck,

James

[Red]

I used a product that is for cleaning aluminum and pontoon boats. I got it at Stevens Marine. It was able to remove most of my waterline stains from being moored on the Willamette. It's a weak acid, after you use it wax your boat for protection. That 3M aluminum polish works great but it will be a huge chore to clean off all the black oxidation as it polishes. I tried it on a 2 foot square section and then decided that the reason a got an aluminum boat was so I wouldn't need to exert so much effort, and I stopped. :smile:

[boater]

dri-wash-n-guard premium metal polish is some great stuff, wipes on and off easy, shines and protects. i tried mothers, 3-m , eagle 1 and all the other ones and they dont even compare.

[GoFish]

:whazzup: Clean my boat.... graemlins/idea.gif
There's a thought.

[Taylor's viewpoint]

I've been using Mothers Mag Wheel and Aluminum polish. It is a lot of work but it really cleans up the aluminum. Messy too.
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