What equipment to use for polishing aluminum

[sharpcanoe]

Just had received a cyclo pro 5 and never used it yet. A friend saw this and wants me to polish his pontoons on his 24 foot pontoon . The pontoons are severely oxidized so I figure I have to sand them first before polishing (1000 and 4000 paper). This is all new to me as I have never used a polisher/buffer before and a little intimidating but willing to jump in (with a life jacket of course) and try it. Would like to know what other machine or machines I would need to get to do this as the cyclo would not be good for sanding. What would be a good universal machine to do the big and small job with polishing pontoons. When you do pontoons do you usually do the outside and inside (under the deck) all the way from end to end or just what you see from a quick walk around. Do I need a smaller machine to do the frames holding the pontoons to the deck and fins on the pontoon also, How long would it normally take to do such a job? What does one charge for doing a severely oxidized 24 foot pontoon (not including the "friend discount"). Any other info would be greatly appreciated and I apologize for not using the correct boat lingo (starboard etc.) as I admit I am not a boatologist. TY

 

[Vegas Transplant]

This is a MAJOR undertaking.
Skip the 1000/4000 sanding and go chemical for oxidation removal.
Cyclo as main tool for polishing is not advised. Too bulky.

 

[sharpcanoe]

Not sure if he wants me to use chemicals but if he does then what chemicals would be good to use (are they complicated to use) and where could I get them.

 

[Mantilgh]

Aluminum "brighteners" are usually an acid cleaner. Acid based wheel cleaners will also be the same or similar. Available at auto parts, big rig truck shops and parts dealers, and home supply centers.

Use proper personal protection equipment when when working with acids.

Typical technique is to use on a dry surface, spraying from bottom up. Let it dwell a couple of minutes, but do not let any of it dry. Then rinse well.

Mike has a thread where they polished one out but there's no info on the process used. I'm not sure if there is a write up on it on Marine31's forum or not.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...92415-aluminum-pontoon-boat-before-after.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ontoon-boat-project-tomorrow-wednesday-2.html

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mike has a thread where they polished one out but there's no info on the process used.

That project was for my new boat detailing book. On pages 93 to 98 I show how to tackle aluminum pontoon boats in 4 different categories. For category #4 I show machine sanding using you choice of dual action polisher but I recommend using the Flex 3401 because it's the fastest way to get through the sanding process.

I didn't cover chemical stripping of oxidation for two reasons,

1. Even after chemically removing oxidation if the goal is a mirror appearance on the aluminum then you're still going to have to either machine polish or wetsand followed by machine polishing and that's because if you're working on severely neglected aluminum the surface becomes textured from the oxidation and the chemical removal of "white rust" doesn't do anything to make the aluminum smooth again. Sanding adds a step but the results are better and less physical work is required overall.

2. Showing how to use a chemical wash to remove white rust or heavy oxidation is in my opinion an advanced procedure that while good for discussion on a forum like this gets complicated to cover in how to book targeted at a very wide spectrum of boat owners. You have to wear safety equipment and keep in mind that procedures like this can also stain your driveway. Not a big deal to everyone but I've read discussion forum for going on 14 years and I've read my share of posts by people unhappy with stains in their driveway from detailing projects to know when to save a procedure like this for the forum world or a future book.


When talking about how to remove oxidation and restore a polished appearance to aluminum it's truly a case of there's a million ways to do the work and in most cases all methods will work.

I shared multiple ways to do the work by hand and by machine including hand and machine sanding.


How to detail boats with Marine 31

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thank you for remembering this project and including the links! :xyxthumbs:

Mike has a thread where they polished one out but there's no info on the process used. I'm not sure if there is a write up on it on Marine31's forum or not.

The results you see below are from the procedures I share in the book.


Aluminum Pontoon Boat - Before & After


Before

After

:xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Just had received a cyclo pro 5 and never used it yet. A friend saw this and wants me to polish his pontoons on his 24 foot pontoon .

The pontoons are severely oxidized so I figure I have to sand them first before polishing (1000 and 4000 paper).

On page 94 of my book I state the Porter Cable 7424 and the Cyclo polishers are good for removing oxidation on pontoon boats in category #1 and #2 but boats in worse condition more powerful direct drive tools will work better.

You can use a Cyclo for severely neglected aluminum it's just a matter of how much time you want to invest into the process.

Cyclo makes sanding discs in #600 grit and you could try these to knock down the oxidation and then move onto the polishing step.

10 Pack Cyclo Fastcut 600 Grit Disc


I'd suggest getting your buddy involved as the lead person in this project instead of yourself because buffing out a severely neglected aluminum pontoon boat is a LOT of work.

It's a process better understood after doing it versus simply trying to tell your buddy you read it was a lot of work.

It's also a common problem that could have been avoided if the boat had been regularly polished and sealed after purchase.

What normally happens is owners do nothing because when they buy the boat it looks great. The oxidation and thus deterioration takes place over time. Then one day the owner looks at the boat and notices just how far gone its become and then look for the easy way out.

The other scenario is the above but then the owner sells it and the new owner has to deal with the oxidation.

 

[builthatch]

When you do pontoons do you usually do the outside and inside (under the deck) all the way from end to end or just what you see from a quick walk around.

i have wondered this too. Mike, what do you do??

 

[sharpcanoe]

I do not want to use chemicals so will probably do it with machines..ordered the flex 3401 yesterday and had a great deal from here on it. Thanks for the info mike and I have your book on the way so cant wait to get it. not sure how you get all the time to reply to the forums with all the work you do but its greatly appreciated.(just wish you were closer to Maine usa/Canadian border to give boot camp training). could you give me a rough estimate on how long it would take a novice to do the 24 foot pontoons in this shape..