'59 Blues Star Islander -- complete restoration needed

[Watermann]

Polishing cast AL can be a loosing endeavor but cleaning any and all corrosion off them is certainly a worthy cause. No matter what they will oxidize again rapidly and turn grey.

 

[hvymtl939]

Polishing cast AL can be a loosing endeavor but cleaning any and all corrosion off them is certainly a worthy cause. No matter what they will oxidize again rapidly and turn grey.

Even if you seal them with some kind of shark hide or similar ceramic coating? Asking because I'm polishing mine on a similar age aluminum boat at the moment.

 

[Watermann]

Even if you seal them with some kind of shark hide or similar ceramic coating? Asking because I'm polishing mine on a similar age aluminum boat at the moment.

Have fun with what you're doing, the thing is it's all extra maintenance and only a certain few enjoy doing it. I love to have my boat very clean on the inside and no maintenance ever neglected on the motor.

If you cover your boat, that will be rubbing on the end caps and polishing them too as well as removing your clear coating.

 

[hvymtl939]

Have fun with what you're doing, the thing is it's all extra maintenance and only a certain few enjoy doing it. I love to have my boat very clean on the inside and no maintenance ever neglected on the motor.

If you cover your boat, that will be rubbing on the end caps and polishing them too as well as removing your clear coating.

Didn't think about the cover rubbing, that's a great point.

 

[edgepa]

I agree that it is a Sisyphean challenge, but I am only going to polish aluminum trim pieces. I will paint the boat. And for now, I like the polishing process. I have great results with other parts, but these end caps are pretty rough due to the casting. I have seen a few videos of motorcycle parts being sanded to remove the casting marks. I may try that approach.

 

[hvymtl939]

I agree that it is a Sisyphean challenge, but I am only going to polish aluminum trim pieces. I will paint the boat. And for now, I like the polishing process. I have great results with other parts, but these end caps are pretty rough due to the casting. I have seen a few videos of motorcycle parts being sanded to remove the casting marks. I may try that approach.

Sorry to thread jack, but here was one of mine after about 10 minutes and some 100 grit. I think sanding could work for sure.

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd recommend a drill powered buffing wheel and Some Mothers Aluminum polish. worked GREAT for me.

 

[edgepa]

Thanks Woodonglass. I have had great luck with a bench buffer wheel with white compound on most parts. Below is a rail part (unfortunately from the burnt out Lone Star) that came out well. Unfortunately the end caps don't polish this well. Which I think is from the rough casting. I think you're right hvymtl939 about starting with 100 grit and working my way up.

 

[hvymtl939]

Thanks Woodonglass. I have had great luck with a bench buffer wheel with white compound on most parts. Below is a rail part (unfortunately from the burnt out Lone Star) that came out well. Unfortunately the end caps don't polish this well. Which I think is from the rough casting. I think you're right hvymtl939 about starting with 100 grit and working my way up.

WOW! That looks amazing. Great work. Are you putting any kind of clear coat or sealer on top?

 

[edgepa]

I was thinking of protectaclear (amazon), diamond clear (Eastwood), or sharkhide. But open to advice...

 

[chevymaher]

Ardex Ocean Polymer