Aluminum is a simple metal, but restoring it to its proper shine can be trickier than you might imagine. That’s why an aluminum boat restoration project can often take longer than most boat owners anticipate. If you want it to go as smoothly as possible, it helps to have an idea of what you’re up against. That’s why we put together these quick tips!
Your Aluminum Boat Restoration Checklist
The old adage—that failing to plan is planning to fail—applies here. Think of your restoration as a recipe. You wouldn’t start a recipe without first preparing the ingredients and making sure you have them all handy. That’s what you’ll want to do: prepare your materials and safety measures in one place before you begin. What does that include? Well, that depends on the scope of your project. But here are a few ideas:
- Aluminum Cleaner. If you’re restoring an old boat, there’s a chance that your aluminum needs some serious work. A little soap and water isn’t going to do the trick. That’s why we recommend a low-micron aluminum cleaner. It will brighten, polish, and protect, which helps leave your aluminum looking new after a thorough cleaning.
- Gloves, goggles, and applicators. Basic safety materials are a must here. Keep your hands protected with appropriate gloves. And don’t forget the eyes. It’s easier than you might imagine to get a chemical or cleaner in your eye, especially when you lose concentration. A simple pair of goggles fixes that problem. And make sure that you work with the proper applicators as well. For instance, if you have a lot of boat to polish, you might want to think about using a power buffer.
- Removers. Sometimes restoring a boat to its original luster is about removing the old gunk that has built up. Release is great for removing adhesives from metals.
If you have some light restoring to do, these materials will serve you well. But what about when it comes to the restoration itself?
Tips for Improving Aluminum
Want an aluminum boat restoration project that doesn’t end in frustration? Here are our tips for making it work:
- Use multi-taskers whenever possible. That’s why we recommended Aluminum Cleaner—it’s a cleaner that leaves behind protection. Multi-tasking equipment will reduce your overall work-time and can help make quick work of your boat.
- Clean first. Cleaning out the areas you plan on restoring first can make your project a lot easier, and it will help you get one of the most frustrating steps out of the way early. You can even clean your boat after taking it out of the water and come back to it when you’re ready.
Getting your aluminum boat to look its best might seem hard now, but there are ways of making it easier on yourself. Stick to our boat cleaning and restoration products, and you’re sure to find a helping hand along the way.
