Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Why do I see some posts recommending NOT using Acid wash products to clean up the Pontoons?

That's what I used works great, strait up aluminum acid, I have it for washing my big truck

It works great! I use it every year.....not sure what, if any, problems using it.

Roger that guys. I used it for the first time this year and was amazed it worked so well. Just wanted to check and see if there is as down side.

Love my Harris 220 Cruiser.... that 240 is a nice boat as well.

DSwatloski wrote:Roger that guys. I used it for the first time this year and was amazed it worked so well. Just wanted to check and see if there is as down side.

Love my Harris 220 Cruiser.... that 240 is a nice boat as well.

That's the down side... How well it works!

The only downside I could maybe see is if you don't get all the acid off after cleaning.
I know when I do mine, it's sitting on the trailer so the acid will soak into the bunk carpets. However much I rinse I'm still paranoid some will remain so I always put it back in the lake for a proper rinse of both the pontoons and the trailer bunks.

rob28 wrote:The only downside I could maybe see is if you don't get all the acid off after cleaning.
I know when I do mine, it's sitting on the trailer so the acid will soak into the bunk carpets. However much I rinse I'm still paranoid some will remain so I always put it back in the lake for a proper rinse of both the pontoons and the trailer bunks.

That's probably overkill, water neutralizes the aluminum acid... I usually pressure wash it off and spray it down good but I have plastic bunk slides on my trailer too.

Overall I was pleased with the results with such little effort...

Thanks. Mine cleaned up real good too with the acid bath. Used the Napa stuff. I guess there is a cheaper brand that is out there. I'll have to do the research when I go to do it again. That's a nice boat, the Suntracker. My first toon was a 24' Suntracker Party Barge had a full camping enclosure. Nice boat.

teecro wrote:Overall I was pleased with the results with such little effort...

Looks great!

The downside is that that black film is actually oxidation that forms a protective barrier to prevent further corrosion and oxidation on the toons. Technically every time you acid wash you are making the aluminum a little bit thinner. That being said, it looks great and is easy. My grandfather's boat is 25 years old and gets acid washed every year or every other year with no issues yet to date.

DSwatloski wrote:Thanks. Mine cleaned up real good too with the acid bath. Used the Napa stuff. I guess there is a cheaper brand that is out there. I'll have to do the research when I go to do it again. That's a nice boat, the Suntracker. My first toon was a 24' Suntracker Party Barge had a full camping enclosure. Nice boat.

From what info I can find O'Reilly branded Alum Brightener is roughly half the cost of the NAPA stuff both are dist by Purple Power who gets it from Aiken Chemical Company... I can't comment beyond that but I plan on picking some up and checking it out for myself.....

Thanks for the compliment, I really do enjoy my Lil Blue Mule....