Cleaning And Polishing Your Aluminum Boat: A Step-By-Step Guide

Aluminium boats are popular for their durability, lightweight and resistance to rust. However, they do require regular cleaning and polishing to maintain their signature shine. This is because aluminium reacts to air exposure and tends to oxidise and dull over time. The process of cleaning and polishing an aluminium boat involves three steps: washing it with soap and water, cleaning it with an aluminium boat cleaner, and buffing it with an aluminium polish. This not only restores its shine but also protects the boat from the elements.

Use soap and water to wash the boat

To clean and polish an aluminium boat, the first step is to wash it with soap and water. This is a preliminary wash to remove loose dirt and debris, which is important before applying an aluminium cleaning product.

To begin, park your boat in a shady spot, as direct sunlight can cause the aluminium to become too hot to touch. Fill a bucket with hot water and add car soap. Use a sponge to scrub the boat with the soapy water, and for problem areas, try using steel wool. Rinse the boat with water to remove any remaining soap.

Next, you can apply an aluminium boat cleaning solution. Most of these products are concentrates that need to be diluted with water. Soak a scrubbing brush in the solution and scrub the aluminium surfaces, paying extra attention to any areas that are still dirty. Check the instructions on the cleaning product to see if it needs time to set, or if it can be rinsed off immediately.

Once you have rinsed the boat, it's time to buff the aluminium to bring out its shine. You can do this by hand or with a buffing machine. If you're using a machine, apply the aluminium polish to the buffing pad while it's in motion. Press the pad into the aluminium and move slowly from side to side until you've covered all the aluminium. You'll need to keep adding more polish to the pad as you work.

If you're buffing by hand, apply the polish to a buffing cloth or pad and press it to the boat's surface. Buff in a circular pattern until you've covered the aluminium, adding more polish as needed. Remember that hand-buffing is more time-intensive, especially if the aluminium is heavily oxidised.

Apply an aluminium boat cleaner

To apply an aluminium boat cleaner, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure you have the right product. You need a cleaner that is safe to use on boat hulls and is a low-micron cleaner and an anti-oxidant. This will ensure that it treats old and worn-out aluminium effectively.

Next, dilute the concentrate with water, following the instructions on the bottle. Once you have prepared the solution, soak a scrubbing brush in it and start scrubbing the aluminium surfaces of your boat. Pay particular attention to any areas that didn't come clean during the initial wash.

After you've scrubbed every inch of aluminium, check the directions on the cleaning product to determine whether it needs time to set into the metal or can be rinsed off immediately.

Use a buffing cloth or machine to polish the aluminium

Once you've cleaned your aluminium boat with soap and water, and then with an aluminium boat cleaner, it's time to buff and polish the aluminium to a high shine.

If your boat is small, or you don't mind the labour involved, you can hand-buff your boat. Apply aluminium polish to a buffing cloth or pad, then press it to the boat's surface and start buffing in a circular pattern until you've covered the aluminium. Remember to add more polish to the buffing pad as needed. However, buffing by hand can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, especially if the aluminium is heavily oxidised.

If you want to save time and effort, a buffing machine is your best option. Apply the aluminium polish to the buffing pad while it's in motion, then press the pad into the aluminium and buff, moving slowly from side to side until you've covered all of the aluminium. Be thorough—one pass should be enough if you buff slowly and deliberately. Keep adding more polish to the buffing pad as you work. The edge of the buffing pad may collect polish build-up or aluminium particles, so inspect it every so often and remove any debris with a buffing rake (a small metal tool that can be purchased online for less than $10).

Polishing an aluminium boat is a loud and time-consuming process, but you should notice immediate results. Your boat should have a consistent shine that you'd expect from a quality polish.

Wear protective goggles and gloves to protect yourself from cleaning products

When cleaning and polishing an aluminium boat, it is important to wear protective goggles and gloves to safeguard yourself from the cleaning products used in the process.

Goggles will protect your eyes from any splashes of cleaning products, which could cause severe irritation or even blindness. This is especially important when using strong chemicals such as descalers or bleach, which may emit harmful vapours. Gloves will prevent your hands from drying out and protect them from any corrosive cleaning agents. For example, common rubber gloves can be dissolved by certain cleaning solutions, such as bleach, so it is important to use chemical-resistant gloves, like those made from nitrile or latex.

In addition to goggles and gloves, there are several other pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) that can be worn to protect yourself from cleaning products. Face masks or respirators can be used to prevent inhalation of dust or harmful gases and vapours. Face shields provide further protection from hazardous substances and splashes. To protect your skin and clothing from splashes, you can wear disposable aprons and sleeves, boiler suits, or work clothing.

Use a power buffer for a quicker and more efficient polish

Using a power buffer is a great way to make quick work of polishing your aluminium boat. It is a loud process and will take time, but you should notice immediate results.

Step 1: Prepare Your Boat

Before you begin, ensure your boat is prepared for polishing. This means washing off any debris and clearing away dust. You may also want to strip off old paint if you are completely restoring the aluminium.

Step 2: Choose Your Polish

There are many polishes available for aluminium boats. You can use a dedicated aluminium polish, or a general automotive or boat polish or wax will also work.

Step 3: Apply the Polish

Apply your chosen polish with consistency, never over-working or under-working an area. If you are using a buffing machine, start by applying the polish to the buffing pad while it is in motion. Press the pad into the aluminium and buff, moving slowly from side to side until you have covered all of the aluminium. You will need to thoroughly cover the whole surface, as one pass will be enough if you buff slowly and deliberately.

Step 4: Maintain the Buffing Pad

Keep in mind that the edge of the buffing pad may collect polish build-up or aluminium particles, so inspect it every so often and remove any debris. You can use a buffing rake to clear the pad. This is a hard, metal comb that cleans the surface of the buffing pad to prepare it for fresh polish.

Step 5: Inspect Your Work

Once you have finished buffing, take the time to fully inspect your work. You might spot little nooks and crannies that you missed, and if you are renting a power buffer, now is the time to take care of them.

Frequently asked questions