graying/blackening on the toons

[kdlandis]

I have had my new pontoon (first one) since spring. It's only been on 4 lakes (Minnesota). My pontoons are graying or blackening (see picture). How do I clean them?
Also they have some scuffing from being docked and scraping against the dock as some kids pulled up the bumpers (grr). Anyone know how to buff that out or do I just leave it?

Kristi

[BoatCop]

As long as the scuffs aren't through the metal, I'd just leave it. Sanding or grinding them smooth will cause weak areas and could lead to complete failure, not to mention affecting your warranty. If you dock in the same place, try putting padding/fenders on the dock itself to keep them from riding up and keep the kids from screwing with them.

Different minerals in the water will react with the aluminum and cause the discoloring. It doesn't affect the strength or composition of the aluminum. It's just cosmetic. The only thing you can do is either live with it, or polish them shiny and use a protectant like Sharkhide.

[Strake]

Check out this current thread on the same subject...... or hit the search button.

I have an extensive description of the things I did, and the final results on our new toon.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22117&start=15

[Bamaman]

I polish my toons every May with a 6" dual action polisher with a wool polishing bonnet. I use White Diamond metal polish which is available at Advance Auto Parts.

I take a 2' by 2' section and put 3 dime size dolups of polish on the bonnet. Put it on the toon, and hit the switch. You just move the polisher up and down, back and forth. In about 90 seconds, the gooey black oxide will turn to a powder, the toon will polish and most dust blows into the air. You just wipe the area down with a towel and go on to the next 2' by 2' area. It's not too time consuming to polish the nosecones, the rear and the sides of the outside toons. (I don't polish the insides.)

I also have a high speed polisher/buffer, however it's too physical of a job to use.