Question on cleaning the ducker - help

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
Start cleaning up the ducker. Man is this thing filthy. I got a power washer and it is cleaning off some of the crap that has accumulated but not all of it. Probably not the highest pressure power washer but is a gas washer and says 2500 psi.

It is not getting off all the junk. This boat sat in water for a season (or more) and has swamp gunk on it that is not coming off. It is on the inside (harder to remove) and on the outside. I am able to get off most of the outside but the inside gunk is not coming out. Any suggestions. Any kind of chemical that breaks down swamp crapola? The boat is going to be re-painted as the paint that is on there now is not original anyway. Wire (stainless) brush is an option.

The stuff that is on the boat is almost white in color and VERY tough.

Suggestions are appreciated.

Mark W
 
Mark,

I had good luck (when going to bare metal) with the abrasive/polishing pads by 3M. Maybe you could get a hold of some. ;>) ;>) No seriously, we use them both hand and disc pads all the time at work. We use the gray, maroon and light gray pads along with Simple Green or Jungle Jake cleaning fluid.

I'll bet if you spray some cleaner on, cover with plastic so it doesn't dry out, and let soak a bit, I'll bet it comes right off. Now if it has calcified, you may have to get more aggressive. Just be careful when using chemicals that they don't attack the aluminum.
 
Mark~

I once cleaned up a tin (aluminum) boat that had been is saltwater for awhile - with plenty of oxidized deposits. I used a sandblaster (borrowed the one at the boatyard I used at the time). Fast work - less than an hour inside and out - and left a great surface for paint.

BUT!!! I have had very little experience with sandblasters and recommend you consult some of the many more knowledgeable guys on this site (there are probably sandblasting sites, too). I know there are many choices for blasting media - and my presumption is that you could find a shop nearby who does this work. (we've got someone near here who works downright cheap).

Best of luck,

SJS
 
Mark,

I had good luck (when going to bare metal) with the abrasive/polishing pads by 3M. Maybe you could get a hold of some. ;>) ;>) No seriously, we use them both hand and disc pads all the time at work. We use the gray, maroon and light gray pads along with Simple Green or Jungle Jake cleaning fluid.

I'll bet if you spray some cleaner on, cover with plastic so it doesn't dry out, and let soak a bit, I'll bet it comes right off. Now if it has calcified, you may have to get more aggressive. Just be careful when using chemicals that they don't attack the aluminum.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, it has calcified. I got off some but there is much more. I found the Alumacraft logo on both sides and found a partial hull number. May have to go with some sort of blasting media to get this off.

Mark W
 
I would look into saturating tight weave burlap with 50/50 simple green and water and laying it on the boat...small sections at a time...keep a spray bottle full of the solution on hand to replenish and keep it wet...give it a dwell time of 30 minutes for starters and then after the soaking contact...try a stiff bristle nylon brush...If 30 minutes does not begin to work it...add 15 minutes etc. Simple green is some amazing stuff. Blasting is a tough thing to do on this thin of Aluminum....don't want to spray right through...
 
Last edited:
Mark,

I had good luck (when going to bare metal) with the abrasive/polishing pads by 3M. Maybe you could get a hold of some. ;>) ;>) No seriously, we use them both hand and disc pads all the time at work. We use the gray, maroon and light gray pads along with Simple Green or Jungle Jake cleaning fluid.

I'll bet if you spray some cleaner on, cover with plastic so it doesn't dry out, and let soak a bit, I'll bet it comes right off. Now if it has calcified, you may have to get more aggressive. Just be careful when using chemicals that they don't attack the aluminum.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah, it has calcified. I got off some but there is much more. I found the Alumacraft logo on both sides and found a partial hull number. May have to go with some sort of blasting media to get this off.

Mark W
Click to expand...





Mark,

Aluminum wheel polish will remove the calcification or try CLR. One word of caution DO NOT use sand if you decide to blast. Blasting causes heat which will deform the aluminum. I was told to use soda or glass beads. My problem ended up being electrolysis and not calcification so I just sanded and painted.
 
Mark, I need to find a number for an outfit in Long Lake, but I would soda blast, if you have a compressor all you need is a engine degreasing gun and a bag of soda from harbor freight and it should take most of it off.
 
Mark, I posted a thread about a canoe project last week where I used aircraft stripper on the aluminum canoe. It came off faster than a prom dress. As for the grime, TSP ?
 
If you did want to go with blasting....you could drop it off at Alumacraft in St. Peter....they have in the past blasted duckers at lower pressures and re-painted (considered a factory paint job then) for around 500 bucks. If you go that route...knock down any dents first....I believe they use Co2 beads for their blast media.
 
Andrew - soda blast would be great if you know someone.

Ron - thanks for the tip on bringing it back to Alumacraft. I don't think it is worth $500 and I kind of want to get the dents out and repaint myself.

I tried the tricks with simple green, tried TSP and tried Lime Away. Nothing is taking this stuff off, I could sand but it would be a lot of work to to get the inside of the hull with all the nooks and crannies. I do have plenty of time so who knows what route Ill take.

Mark W
 
Mark,

That was a ball park price I was given for my ducker retriever just to blast and paint...all the dent removal would of course belong to you..

Plenty of time....don't rush the process...it will get there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top