Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

I_5320

Seaman
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
59
Hey all could use some advice,

Been stripping my 16ft 85 Sylvan,, Slow going even with Aircraft Stripper. However when conditions are right and I get a good paint lift,, the Aluminum underneath the paint is like a mirror. So shinny and clean it almost hypnotizes me like gold fever. Especially on the sides.

So here's my dilemma. I got an opportunity to get a free Soda Blasting to finish it up. I know it sounds crazy to even consider turning this down and maybe my delirium is stripper fumes.

Question is can I get that finish/shine back after Soda Blasting? If so how?

And any advice on keeping that finish.

Clearcoat?
Sharkhide ?
Other suggestions.
 

GT1000000

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
4,916
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

I am no expert in doing this, and I am sure some who have done it will chime in soon...

You can also look on YouTube for videos on polishing aluminum...

Far as I know, you can get a mirror finish on aluminum with a lot of elbow grease...

After soda blasting, you may need to go through a procession of finer and finer sand papers, before hitting it with a variable speed polisher and compound...

You may also be able to just go straight to using the polisher, if the blasting doesn't etch the surface too badly...

Once you get the finish you are after, you will definitely need to add a protective coating of some kind...don't have an answer for that, though...

You should definitely post up some pics of the process if you decide to do it...

Have fun!
 

Streetgang

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2012
Messages
251
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

I think you will be getting some feedback from others very soon but will add my .02

IMO no matter what you use to get the paint off you can restore the alum to as mirror a finish as you want but no matter what is suggested it is some hard work. Even if the blast is free why throw away the work you have done, especially if the finish you have is already acceptable.

Then, as you inquire how to maintain it? No doubt some fellas will stop by and help but it will have to be a continuing effort to keep it. The toughest environment is aluminum truck and auto wheels and that is clearcoat but under highly controlled specs.

May want to do some searching, even with the advanced search feature through the threads and I am betting you will find some good info. I have spent 40 years in alum. fabricating business and for me it is all possible just the cost / energy to find the finish you want and then the same to maintain it.

Good luck.
 

64osby

Admiral
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
6,799
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

There are a few shinny tin boats here. dozerII's did a nice 18 SS, huron angler did a nice SS 16 Starcraft, starcrafter 65 did a nice 18 Holiday.

Lots of elbow grease, and Shark Hide or Shiela Shine, dozer found some other product I think at one point.

If the stripper is leaving a good clean finish I would stick with it. Otherwise you will be sanding and buffing.

Wax on wax off many times over.
 

I_5320

Seaman
Joined
Jan 3, 2011
Messages
59
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

All,

Thanks for the tips and getting me pointed to the right threads... The Bighoss' 16ft SS Rebuild is the look and potential I'm seeing. I may regret it in the long run but it's got a "Wow" factor that's to a hard to resist.
 

m casey stock

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
514
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

I too used aircraft stripper (mop on) and it did pretty good, but like you there were still some tough spots. For those places I put on my rubber gloves and switched to the Aerosol can aircraft stripper for more control, and a 3M scotch-brite scuff pad and the rest came off with ease. I really was concerned about the amount of work needed to bring the shine back after blasting. Take a look at the sides of my boat, that is all I have done to them at this point. I know there is still going to be some work involved to get the mirror finish I too want but no where near what it would take after sanding or blasting. I'm not really sure if I even want the mirror finish, I think I do, but I kinda like the look that it has now, although I need to redo it due to cleaners dripping down during the bottom painting. The thing is, even though my boat is in really good shape for it's 61 years of service, I know the more it shines the more the little bumps and dents are going to show, so I don't know.
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

If you use one of the acid based aluminum boat washes, chances are you'll have a clean but dull finish. You could go the progressive sanding route and end up polishing with a rouge and a high speed buffer, but that's too much work.

I went into the auto detailing blogs and read about metal polishing. Most use a Dual Action Polisher/Sander, like the Porter Cable unit I bought with a wool bonnet for applying aluminum/metal polish. I found White Diamond metal polish at Advance Auto Parts after Mothers Aluminum Polish did a disappointing job.

You apply 3 dime size dollops on the wool bonnet, and polish at a medium speed up and down, right and left in a 2' x 2' area. The polish will turn into a black oxide paste, and around 90 seconds the black will dry up and mostly disappear into the air. You take a towel and wipe off the black residue.

I ended up with a slightly less than mirror finish, however the shine's great for the amount of work I put into the polish job. With a high speed buffer and rouge, a close to mirror finish might be possible, but realistically how many people are willing to put the amount of upkeep that it would take to even periodically re-polish to that level of shine. Not me!
 

dozerII

Admiral
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
6,527
Re: Polishing Aluminum boat after after Soda Blasting

No matter how you do it it is going to be a lot of work and will require ongoing maintanance. If the stripper is leaving it shiney I would continue that route, as any shine you take away with the soda will have to be bought back by polishing. I used the Sonus polishing system, which includes polish for use on a variable speed angle polisher and a clear sealant that goes on over top. the process is very labour intensive. Polish then wipe off all the black residue, polish again wipe of the black residue. Once you have the finish to where you want it wipe it down with blue micro-fiber towels, then put on a coat of sealant. Maintaining the shine is a matter of keeping up with the sealant.
 
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