Oxidation Removal Ideas

[ThePazza101]

Hi
I have a 14' foot aluminium hull but it has moderate to severe oxidation on most of the surface. I have tried many different methods to remove the chalky oxidation, these methods include: Brown vineger, high pressure water cleaner, septone aluminium cleaner (acid based), wire brushing, wet dry sandpaper.
All have had limited or no effect.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated thanks,
Jayce

Originally Posted by ThePazza101

Hi
I have a 14' foot aluminium hull but it has moderate to severe oxidation on most of the surface. I have tried many different methods to remove the chalky oxidation, these methods include: Brown vineger, high pressure water cleaner, septone aluminium cleaner (acid based), wire brushing, wet dry sandpaper.
All have had limited or no effect.
Any ideas are greatly appreciated thanks,
Jayce

May I ask, why would one remove the best protecion the material has?

Yes it looks ugly, but that was part of the deal, was´nt it?

LEAVE IT AS IT IS, you have got a perfect corrosion protection.

Regards
Richard

[CDK]

You can remove the oxide with any acid. Hydrochloric acid works very fast but can dissolve your whole boat if you do not stop the process in time, so have a water hose ready.
A more civilized approach is using warm oxalic acid.

Remember that the aluminum oxide once was part of the boat and you want to wash that away now. Like Apex1 pointed out, your boat needs this oxide layer to protect it.

[FAST FRED]

If you are looking for "shiney" a buffing wheel is the only way.

The aircraft guys have great great equippment for seeing your face in the reflection, at midnight.

But its a constant never ending chore, and they seldom dunk the shiney aircraft in salt water.

FF

[jonr]

A truck wash can do an acid wash. Comes out looking nice, but better to learn to like the oxidized look.

[TeddyDiver]

Wear old (=worn) RayBans, it helps

[ThePazza101]

Hey guys thanks for your help.
The boat is a 30+ year old ex-hire boat that has taken a beating. I am planning on painting the boat with a 2-pack marine paint and then several coats of clear to stop the oxidation from returning, Thanks FAST FRED for the idea and i shall hire a buffing wheel this weekend to try that.