Getting Oxidation out of Bass Tracker?

[koko36265]

I have a 18ft Bass Tracker that is about 12 years old. I bought it last year and have fished out of it regularly since then. I am noticing that it is oxidizing a little bit and does not shine anymore. There are some small black specks on the bow of the boat. It also is beginning to look like white or hazy spots also.  My question is has anyone polished out their aluminum boat to get that wow shine from it? If so what did you use to get the oxidation off and then what did you use to polish and seal it? Also did you do the bottom of the boat and if so how did you get around where the boat is sitting on the trailer? Thanks..

[Long Mike]

It's interesting that you brought this topic up.  I've just started polishing my seventeen-year-old Tracker.   My best guess is that this is the first time it has ever been done.  I started with Aluminex Hull Cleaner that I bought from Academy Sports.  This is nothing more than a mild acid wash, but it certainly did the trick in removing the oxidization.  I then used a TurtleWax automotive polishing compound to restore the polish.  Finally, I applied a paste wax.  It seems to be working well, but I've still got of work to do.  When I get to the stern I plan on building an "A-Frame" across the stern and then using it to jack the boat up above the side bunks.

[koko36265]

Did you worry about the bottom of the boat at all of just do the sides and back?

[Catt]

I had a pretty good case of oxidation on my 13 year old Stratos; I would remove it only to have it reappear which was starting to irritate me. One afternoon after returning from the lake I was cleaning the inside of the boat when I noticed every where drops of my worm juice had fallen onto the oxidation the Poly flake was bright as new. So this dumb Cajun grabs a can of WD40 lightly spraying an area then wiping it down; dang it shines like new. It was like the surface was dried out and the WD40 added moisture to it, this was about a month ago and it still shines like new.  

[Long Mike]

I'll be doing the sides and back only.  I'm not about to start painting an acid solution (mild or not) on the hull of my boat while lying on my back.  Besides, the fish aren't really into eye candy.  After reading Catt's post, I'll be trying some WD-40 as well.

[Fish Chris]

The fish don't care how shiny your boat is ;-)

I say you should bead blast it, and put a "real paint job on it" like I did to my old 12ft Seaking ;-)

Of course after 10 years, and probably 12,000 hours spent on that old aluminum, I had to step up to the hard-core trophy bass catching machine...... and it came stock with best finish for any bass boat ;-)

Oh but hey, I do know a guy who has a 16 ft Klamath, that he has polished to a mirror finish..... It looks.... uhhh.... bright and shiny... and kind of odd.....

But then he fishes for hatchery (artificial) trout..... So what does that tell you ? ;-) LOL

Don't mind me :-)

Peace,

Fish