Rebuilding a 'toon.

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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This is my first foray into Pontoons so a little advice would be most help DSC01720.JPGDSC01721.JPGDSC01722.JPGDSC01723.JPGDSC01720.JPGDSC01721.JPGDSC01722.JPGDSC01723.JPGfull. As can be seen from the pics this boat has been parked for some time and the tubes have gained an extra coat. Fortunately this is a fresh water boat.
Any suggestions as to how to remove the extra coat from the tubes and bring them up to a nice finish?
I have no problem with the motor as I rebuild them. So it is going to be the boat that is the issue.
 

badbird

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Sep 26, 2009
Messages
109
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

looks like a fun project

I would use www.pontoonspecialist.com they have everything you need and if you order enough have free shipping even on decking and furniture

Good Luck Ron
 

Cubbyblue22

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jul 25, 2010
Messages
220
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Def. compare rates though with other's like Overtons, PontoonStuff, and Everythingpontoon. The toons look pretty straight which is a plus. I have yet to clean mine but I've heard very good stuff about JJV's Best and Sharkhide. I'm also talking with one of my friends that cleans semi-rims for a living and he think he might be able to use one of his grinders that way. All in all you'll have a blast doing it and when it's all finished :)
 

5150abf

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Aug 12, 2007
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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

There are all types of spray on products try those first, youreally want to avoid sanding on the tubes since they are already pretty thin metal.

Try a power washer first to get all the big stuff off.
 

rrhodes

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
636
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Lookup AC Coil Cleaner.. If you have any HVAC buddies they can get the real stuff. Be carefull as it is Basically ACID but it will get them cleaner than anything else available.
 

vergil

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
250
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

good luck, there a lot of fun to rebuild, but what are you going to do with the playpen it looks like youll have a hell of a time trying to straighten all that out and have it rewelded, your riveria cruiser looks to be a whole lot newer then mine (1965) keep the pics coming
 

Jeep Man

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Oct 17, 2008
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2,803
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Check out local mobile truck wash companies. They use a mild acid solution. Quick and probably not too expensive.
 

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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2,660
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Thanks for all the responses.Yes it will be fun trying to fix the rail. Some is salvageable but I will need a source for the square section tube. Will look into the aluminum cleaner that the truckers use. Thanks Jeep man. now I have another issue, that being a large dent in the back of one tube. Any suggestions as to how to go about removing it would be appreciated.
 

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Jeep Man

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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Thanks for all the responses.Yes it will be fun trying to fix the rail. Some is salvageable but I will need a source for the square section tube. Will look into the aluminum cleaner that the truckers use. Thanks Jeep man. now I have another issue, that being a large dent in the back of one tube. Any suggestions as to how to go about removing it would be appreciated.

The general consensus is that if it isn't leaking, leave it alone. You can create a bigger problem than you already have.
 

Todd28

Cadet
Joined
Apr 7, 2011
Messages
25
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

just got my first project pontoon myself and was going to try and clean the tubes this weekend. i thought about painting them with oil based aluminum rustoleum paint after i cleaned them up. any opinions on that would be greatly appreciated
 

Mi duckdown

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Apr 14, 2007
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2,575
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

James R. have you thought about using a toilet/sink plunger to remove the dent?
 

rrhodes

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
636
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Thanks for all the responses.Yes it will be fun trying to fix the rail. Some is salvageable but I will need a source for the square section tube. Will look into the aluminum cleaner that the truckers use. Thanks Jeep man. now I have another issue, that being a large dent in the back of one tube. Any suggestions as to how to go about removing it would be appreciated.

Call a mobile dent repair service. If you want to tackle it yourself are probably looking at a dent puller and a tig welder to fill the hole.
 

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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2,660
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Here are some progress pics. Will be using the mild acid solution used on trucks but will have the boat on saw horses not the trailer. Looks like it is light enough to pick up at each corner to run 2x6s under and sit them on the saw horses.
 

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5150abf

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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Yup, unless the dent is leaking leave it alone, that is one of those deals that the cure is worse than the desease, you can use a dent puller nad hae ti welded but then you need to sand down and buff the weld so now you ahve a really shiney spot that stick out way worse than any dent would.

I am the repair guy at Bennington so I have fixxed about anything you can think of, leave it go.
 

5150abf

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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Yup, unless the dent is leaking leave it alone, that is one of those deals that the cure is worse than the desease, you can use a dent puller and have it welded but then you need to sand down and buff the weld so now you ahve a really shiney spot that stick out way worse than any dent would.

I am the repair guy at Bennington so I have fixxed about anything you can think of, leave it go.
 

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Thanks for the input 5150abf. You and the rest of the guys have convinced me. A thought did cross my mind about using a little compressed air in the 'toon and applying heat to the area. No idea if this will work however. I am fortunate that I have an experienced aluminum welder as a friend and he does good work for me.
Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
Will post progress pics as we go.
Thanks guys for your interest in my project.
 

5150abf

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Aug 12, 2007
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5,808
Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Check the first thread on this forum, you want to be really really careful with air in the tubes and the air pushes equally on the inside of the tube so it won't push a dent out.

You can pull it and leave the weld or have a really shiney spot or leave it alone, pick which ever works for you.
 

James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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Re: Rebuilding a 'toon.

Now comes the job of cleaning the 'toons. I was given a 2gal jug of Shiny-Side and have tried some on a small area. I think it will work so so where the aluminum is exposed. However this boat has obviously been sitting in shallow water for a long time and has picked up what I think is a mineral deposit, the brown muck in the pics. Tried the super soap for degreasing from Wallyworld and that doesn't touch it. Tried toilet cleaner. I don't have CLR but from past experience it doesn't work worth a s----. I have Muriatic acid and tried a little of that with rubbing with a cloth. That gets it off.
I need your wisdom on this guys before I go any further.
Thanks for your help so far.
 
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