Aluminum Cleaner

[alaskalouie]

Here I go again, anyone know whom will do boat detail? Clean aluminum.
Louie

[Rock_skipper]

I do it myself with a product for polishing aluminum. The one I use is called "Mothers- Mag & Aluminum Polish". Works pretty good on a river boat. Hope that helps.

[spoiled one]

I bought aluminum for the lack of polishing and maintenance. Let it oxidize. The oxidation provides a protective layer. Am I missing something here?

[Rock_skipper]

Probably not Spoiled One, However after time it will start to turn to a blackess color and some of us like to bring back the shine. Its kinda like the Mag wheels on your truck. All I was doing was give you a heads up on a product that works for me. It also works for your truck or car, ( kinda like armor all) I try to polish mine each spring, ( Just trying to keep up with the jones) , but it does make a big differance of how the boat looks afterward. Good luck.

[spoiled one]

I figured as much, Rock skipper. After all that elbow grease, one should protect their efforts with something like shark hide or nyalic. I have considered the latter. Check it out here

[Rock_skipper]

Hey thanks for the link, spoiled one. I have a school bus that needs some att. to . Thanks again Rock.

[akfishnut]

NAPA Auto

Can you believe it - NAPA Auto used to have a real good product for cleaning aluminum - It was a spray on - wash off type product that did a very good job.
I can't remember the name - buy maybe give them a call.

[akfishnut]

Alumanex Cleaner

The cleaner thats good for aluminum hulls is Alumanex - and its available
from NAPA Auto in Spenard.

Good Luck and Happy Cleaning

[Cresent Hills]

ZEP Alum

Spray it on, let it sit for 90 seconds and hose off.. Just that simple... No BS I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. $40 gallon at Valley Diesel and Marine. I have done my 18 foot jet boat for the last three years and still have a 1/4 gallon left.

Mix 1 cup per gallon of water in pump up sprayer and get r done.... You will not be dissapointed.. Vinyl letter and plastic safe.... hard as hell on copper...

Tom

[SuYentna Dave]

Soft scrub and Rag

Soft Scrub and a clean rag will get your boat shining like a diamond in a goats.... uhh , let's just say it will get it clean.

[northriver21]

Spray it on, let it sit for 90 seconds and hose off.. Just that simple... No BS I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. $40 gallon at Valley Diesel and Marine. I have done my 18 foot jet boat for the last three years and still have a 1/4 gallon left.

Mix 1 cup per gallon of water in pump up sprayer and get r done.... You will not be dissapointed.. Vinyl letter and plastic safe.... hard as hell on copper...

Tom

+1 for the Zep-Alume. That's what I use. It doesn't get it shiny, but a uniform dull silver.

Definitely takes off the black and oxidization.

[kodiakcombo]

albright

I've had aluminum deck/engine cover/fish box hatches made out of aluminum and covered in rhino lining and now I'm stripping it all off. I was told that albright would clean it up pretty good.

[BigBrown767]

Sharkhide

Sharkhide is great, just spray it on with a misting bottle and hose it off. Once you're done use the Sharkhide protectant and she'll look like new aluminum for about 3 years. I treated my boat 2 seasons ago and she still looks great! here's a link although it can be purchased locally at Alaska Mining and Diving: http://www.sharkhide.com/
They have some videos on their page as well so you can see how (and how well) it works.

BB

[AKBassking]

The sharkhide stuff is good, but spendy.

If you are not afraid of a little elbow grease, I use the 3M stuff.

[Sasquatch]

Better to Oxidize?

Looks notwithstanding, is it an old wives tale, or is it really better to let the aluminum oxidize to form a protective layer? Thanks.