REALLY bad oxidation on Aluminum...

[HomeBru]

I picked up an old Alumacraft 16' aluminum boat cheap and the only problem is that it is extremely oxidized, if it were steel it'd be pitted, but the "pitting" is proud of the Al, not deep in. I tried hitting it with buffing compound on a 10" buffer with little effect. Sandpaper gets clogged up really quickly and 80, which would take it down, leaves pretty big gouges.

Suggestions/ideas? It's not effecting the boat per se, just looks cruddy.

J-

 

[beau5278]

You'll probably have to use an aluminum cleaner,like Mothers for aluminum wheels.Most of the cleaners have some acid in them that takes a layer of the surface off but they clean pretty well.The other option may be to find a truck wash and see if they would do it,most have cleaners for cleaning trailers and dump bodies,it wouldn't take them long to do it,if they will.

 

[JohnnyMayhem]

A stainless steel brush works too, plus you can get them to fit on an angle grinder. (it's what I use when I weld aluminum)

 

[xdshooter]

I would look into having someone sandblast it with a gentle media. Maybe soda blasting or walnut shells? Personally, I wouldn't want to be breathing any aluminum dust. I know there is a big controversy of how dangerous aluminum is, but why take the risk? At least wear a respirator that has a decent protection level if you are going to sand it.

 

[yoda4561]

Scotchbrite wheels work wonders Maybe some aluminum wheel cleaner would help? Can't imagine it would hurt anything worse than it is now.