You'll need access to a water source that you can connect a hose to as well. With these abilities, your boat will shine in just one cleaning session. But the trick for the highly oxidized surface is leaving the solution for about two or three hours.
This step will give your pontoon that shiny new glow. Simply put, pontoons are a trend not going away. Even if I apply a weak solution, it still works well. It is almost a reverse process from the acid cleaning step. There is not much clearance and the polishing wheel tends to kick towards your face as it grabs onto the next section of the unfinished aluminum.
Tow your boat out of the water if it isn't already on the trailer. I wash the whole pontoon before the application. The key here is to leave it on for a few minutes, but not to let it dry. Sharkhide is a popular protectant to use, but there are a number of good products available on the market. Foam is an indication that it's time to start cleaning. Aluminum polish for pontoon boats. We use a soft bristle brush or sponge to scrub down the toons while we're floating at the sandbar. If there are remains, you can use a paint brush or a pole brush for cleaning. Scrubbing the area lightly with this cleaner will eventually brighten your boat's surface.
If you start to see chalky buildup or black streaking, this is a sign that you should clean the rails and panels immediately. Expect the project to take about 3 hours start to finish (depending on the size of your boat and how many breaks you take). It also helps in wiping away mild dirt and stain. How to polish pontoons on a boat. My guess is you have probably experienced this first hand since you are reading this article. Kudos to its solution being biodegradable, ozone-safe, and non-aerosol as well. Sharkhide finish is easy to keep clean and I'm sure it will add to the resale value. This step can take some time, but if done properly it will only need to be done once in a while. Buffing Rake - Buffing rakes are used in metal polishing to rake out any clumped up polishing compound and metal particles that get stuck to the buffing wheel. If you don't have a pressure washer you can wipe the pontoon with a wet rag.
Sometimes products like Goo-Gone or Goop seem to be safe, but when you check the ingredients they can contain acetone which can compromise the paint. Use a clean cloth to dry the aluminum surface. Aluminum pontoons look great when a pontoon boat is fresh from the dealer, but that beautiful reflective shine will fade after a while. You can lose an average of 7MPH due to marine growth buildup, so keeping the toons clean has many benefits. Don't let the cleaner sit there for too long before power washing it. The drawbacks are not directly caused by the ingredients of the aluminum boat cleaner. Sharkhide Aluminum Cleaner. I'll try to explain a few basics: Most aluminum, especially that which use for boat manufacture, is an alloy of different metals and additives to give it its final properties of strength, corrosion resistance, malleability, weldability, etc. Pontoon Polish: How to Polish Your Aluminum Tubes & Logs: 5 Steps. If your boat is relatively new or doesn't spend much time in the water, this step can be as simple as a quick rinse by hand with a bucket and sponge, or with a hose or power washer. You need to get excess polishing compounds off of the boat, or else it's going to take away from the boat's pristine finish. Everything on this 'toon was in immaculate condition, except for the aluminum pontoons which were turning brown due to the aluminum oxidation. When you think about it, it is funny that you have to regularly wash something that spends most of its time in the water. First, you'll need a polisher.
The whole buying experience was a breeze, as my friend was very particular about his boat use and its regular maintenance schedule. The easiest way to clean the exterior is while it's up on the trailer and sitting out of the water. Then you can rinse it off. Shark Hide comes with instructions, but it's very vague on how much to mix of the solution with water. Many boat owners swear by Sharkhide or Biokleen metal polishes. How to polish a Pontoon Boat (Pontoon Boat Polishing Kit. There's a wide variety of aluminum boat cleaners on the market.
Safety Flanges - While there are two types, exterior flanges and insertable flanges, if you are just starting out get yourself the cost effective exterior flanges. Although oxidation is totally normal, you can help keep the toons looking newer longer by regularly cleaning them. In my case, I spent close to three days working on my 23-foot Premier with substantial help from two buddies. It is an all-around sealant that offers excellent slickness and works phenomenally in protecting your pontoon boat from UV rays, saltwater damage, algae, and more. Many of the same brands that make aluminum cleaners and restorers also make scrubbing pads meant for applying them. Aluminum is a very reactive metal and its natural color is silver or chrome. If you're diligent about keeping the pontoons clean, this step is quick and easy. It's 100% biodegradable, so there's no need to worry about harm to the water or other environmental factors. This is arguably one of the most important steps. How to polish aluminum pontoons on boat. No need to scrub the part that is highly oxidized or deeply stained.