cleaning aluminum hulls

[bucketmouth64]

I have a Tracker aluminum boat. Non-painted hull. I need some information on cleaning and maintaining the hull. What products work? I guess I never thought of other products other than using soap/water.

[1DIRTBALL]

You could try using Mother's Aluminum Polish which is available at any Checkers Auto Parts. This will remove all corrosion and make it nice and shiny. I would then follow up with a good coating of a quality car wax. An easy way to do this is to use your palm sander. Just install an old piece of towel the same way you install sandpaper. Apply some of the wax to the towel and you are ready to rock! Fast and easy and works great when you need to wax your car or truck too.

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YOU CAN'T talk AN OLD talk'ER!

[willowcat]

Most boat dealers have hull cleaner that removes the brown varnish buildup off the hull. Be carfull though, it's acid bace and real potent.

[Tour. Pro 175]

For stubborn hard water stains or water line scum stains I use a product called SAFE-AcidReplacement Hull Cleaner you can find it at marine dealerships. Works great! I then wash it with soap and water and follow it up with a good quality wax. My boat is four years old and looks like it just rolled of the dealership floor I think it's important to wash your boat often. It's alot easier to maintain it's appearance than waiting till the end of the year and trying to remove a years worth of stains and scum.

[HawgTide]

I have a tracker too. I had bought some boat cleaner and wasn't too happy with the results. Then someone on this forum said Simple Green worked just as well and you don't need all the protective gloves, etc. He was right, Simple Green worked great.

[otto_man]

i use oven cleaner and it works great...

[bucketmouth64]

I saw some products at Walmart, Starbrite and 3M. Are any of them worth buying? I also have the bps marine catalog and they have Meguiar's, Mary Kate, and bps store brand. Any of these good?

[Paul Rohweller]

Theres some stuff called zing thats supposed to work good. I use alumiprep from dupont. It's what you use to prep bare aluminum before you paint it, careful nasty stuff, it'll put the hurt on your lawn..Available at most auto supply stores that carry autobody supplies.. Paul

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Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387 home
701-261-9525 cell
[email protected]
N.P.A.A. 425
Quality Bait and Tackle, Detroit Lakes Mn
www.scenictackle.com
North Country Outdoors Radio 99.3 fm
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

[rmh2o]

I use starbrite on my lund all the time and it works great.I would suggest getting one of those pump up gallon size weed sprayers to apply it.It takes a lot less time to apply and goes on more evenly.

[This message has been edited by rmh2o (edited 03-13-2004).]

[IFallsRon]

All-Purpose Cleaner

1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water

Combine the washing soda, borax, and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in the hot water (it will dissolve the minerals), screw on the lid, and shake to completely blend and dissolve. Spritz every 6 inches or so of surface once or twice, wiping off the cleanser with a rag as you go. For tough dirt, leave the cleanser on for a few minutes before wiping it off. Shake the bottle each time before using.

[Crossin' Eyes]

Flitz metal polish works great too.

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Good Fishin!
Crossin

[goodyy7]

I had some nasty buildup last year that nothing would take off....tried every household chemical I knew of, and quite the array of mixes of these. ZING is what I ended up using and that stuff WORKS! It is acidic and can ruin things if not used as per the directions, but I highly recommend the stuff!

goody

[mahannah]

Yes, Zing works great on unpainted aluminum. It's powerful stuff..make sure you were gloves.

[rmh2o]

Whatever you use make sure you check to see if it is for cleaning fiberglass or alum hulls.

[FISHFORLIFE]

Where can you get ZING?, thanks