Toon cleaning help

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mikeb33
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Toon cleaning help

#1 Post by mikeb33 » Fri May 04, 2018 4:14 pm

Just picked up my Sweetwater pontoon from storage and dropped it in the driveway of my lake house. I need to fix a few things, change fluids and of course clean it. I have an electric pressure washer and cleaned off the right tube pretty thoroughly and then sprayed "JJV's Best ALU100-G Aluminum Pontoon Cleaner" on it https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FP ... UTF8&psc=1
I did the back of the tube repeatedly and the area below the water line looks great(who cares), but above it's all blotchy. I sprayed it on heavily, waited a few minutes, added more and scrubbed with a large scotchbrite and or brush, waited a few and pressure washed it off. It the side view picture I did the area left of the rope. Any ideas how to make it better? It's dead smooth on the sides. My friend said get a gallon on muratic acid?

mikeb33
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Oct 02, 2016 3:26 pm

Re: Toon cleaning help

#2 Post by mikeb33 » Fri May 04, 2018 4:15 pm

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Horsepen
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#3 Post by Horsepen » Sat May 05, 2018 7:01 pm

Could that be oil residue from a slick floating by. I don’t think the alumabrite stuff will cut oil. Try first with a strong detergent like a tire cleaner to remove the oil first. Then apply the brighter. Good luck and let us know the outcome.

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Rick McC.
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#4 Post by Rick McC. » Sat May 05, 2018 8:48 pm

If you use muriatic acid, don’t go beyond a 40% solution mixed with water.

My neighbor, who does a lot of aluminum boat work, recommends a 20% solution, which will probably take two cleanings.

He says that anything around 50% and up will turn the aluminum white. That won’t hurt it, but likely isn’t the look you’re going for.
Rick

Sights are for the unenlightened.

Bamaman
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#5 Post by Bamaman » Sun May 06, 2018 2:15 am

Just go to NAPA and get a gallon of their aluminum cleaner. It is an acid based product but safe if used as directed. It is cheaper than the stuff mentioned bought on Amazon. HVAC outside condenser coil cleaners are essentially the same product.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150

SamiGuy
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#6 Post by SamiGuy » Mon May 07, 2018 7:37 pm

My toons looked about like your, if not worse. I used the NAPA product and could be more pleased!! Just sprayed it on and hosed it off after 30-60 seconds. One gallon did my entire pontoon (2 tubes) and ladder and some of the trailer that had stains from trees. Will absolutely use it again when needed. Some good stuff for very reasonable price. Easiest cleaning I have ever done on my toon!
Sami
2013 Sweetwater 2286 Yamaha F115LA

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guy48065
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Location: Atlanta, MI

Re: Toon cleaning help

#7 Post by guy48065 » Tue May 08, 2018 7:05 am

SamiGuy wrote:
Mon May 07, 2018 7:37 pm
... Easiest cleaning I have ever done on my toon!
Sami
Would an acid wash like this do any good on toons that have NEVER been cleaned in 20 years?

Much of the advice here seems to be for ongoing seasonal maintenance. I'd like to know what to use to get years of gritty lake scum off the lower half of the tubes.
Mark
1996 Sweetwater 180EX + Johnson 40
Rush Lake, Atlanta, MI

SamiGuy
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#8 Post by SamiGuy » Tue May 08, 2018 5:56 pm

Do you have access to a pressure washer? If so, then blast it clean and then use the NAPA product. Under 20 bucks and really nothing to loose but about 1 hour and some water.
Hope it works for you as well as it did mine. I was totally surprised, pleasantly so!!
Sami
2013 Sweetwater 2286 Yamaha F115LA

mikeb33
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#9 Post by mikeb33 » Sat May 19, 2018 8:04 am

Bamaman wrote:
Sun May 06, 2018 2:15 am
Just go to NAPA and get a gallon of their aluminum cleaner. It is an acid based product but safe if used as directed. It is cheaper than the stuff mentioned bought on Amazon. HVAC outside condenser coil cleaners are essentially the same product.
I went to Napa bought a gallon of aluminum brightener for $18. That with a scotchbrite and my electric pressure washer did the trick. Thank you. I forgot to take after pictures and now it is the water. And it's cold and rainy...

SamiGuy
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#10 Post by SamiGuy » Sun May 20, 2018 8:51 am

Great Job!! Now you can help somebody else when they ask. Good stuff and pretty easy.
2013 Sweetwater 2286 Yamaha F115LA

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guy48065
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Re: Toon cleaning help

#11 Post by guy48065 » Mon May 21, 2018 8:56 am

guy48065 wrote:
Tue May 08, 2018 7:05 am
Would an acid wash like this do any good on toons that have NEVER been cleaned in 20 years?

Much of the advice here seems to be for ongoing seasonal maintenance. I'd like to know what to use to get years of gritty lake scum off the lower half of the tubes.
I do have a pressure washer--but not 200 miles away at my cottage.

My immediate need was to glue a transducer mounting block to the back of the toon so I tried a plastic scrub brush, then ScotchBrite, then acid, then a wire brush, then a coarse sanding block. Nothing removed that build-up. It literally looks & feels like cement. If it's THAT tough then epoxy should hold to it so I glued the block on with PC-11. Seems fine but time will tell.

As for the rest of the floats I think I'll just leave them scummy. I'll try the ScotchBrite again after it's been soaking in the lake for a few weeks.
Mark
1996 Sweetwater 180EX + Johnson 40
Rush Lake, Atlanta, MI

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