I have a painted aluminum hull and am looking for some type of cleaner to remove the hard water spots. I read a post about a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. I tried this on my outboard this weekend and it worked like a charm. It removed the water spots with a minimal amount of elbow grease. I'm just worried about what it might do to my aluminum hull paint finish and pinstriping details. Am I worried about nothing? I thought when I was reading about the vinegar/water mixture that guys were only using it on glass boats. I don't mind driving a Crestliner "pickle" if it's safe on the finish. Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
i use lime-away gel on painted aluminum. no problemo. never tried vinnegar.
Does your boat have any pinstriping (adhesive type "stickers") on top of the paint? Mine does, see attached pic. If I didn't have pinstriping, I wouldn't be as worried about what type of cleaner to use. Naturally, I don't want something that removes water spots and pinstriping......
yep!
Okay. I may have to give that Lime Away Gel a try. What do you use for wax? I love Nu Finish on my vehicles. Never tried it on my boat.
i have a tracker avalanche so it has automotive paint on it anyway - i just use turtle wax or whatever is currently on the shelf in the garage when i wax it.
I can't say enough about 303 Aerospace Protectant. It's amazing stuff. I use it on my hull, but never wax what's in the water. Bass Boat Saver is similar and heard good things about it. I like 303 better than wax. It seems to last longer too IMO. You can get it at Wonderland...not sure where else.
I also use 303, not as religiously as I should, but I'll forewarn you, once you put it on, don't use that area as a step or handhold, because you WILL FALL. ;)
1Jav
We have become firm beleivers in 303. The stuff is amazing.
Rob
Amen
For hard water spots on my outboard I've used CLR. (Calcium, Lime & Rust??) Comes in a green bottle.
This stuff really gets rid of those hard water spots......but man........make sure you use a rubber glove!! This stuff is strong!!!!
BS ;)
I was trying to remove hard water spots from the hull. I don't want to use anything that requires gloves for fear of what it might do to the finish. For your outboard, use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. It removes the hard water spots and is more envirofriendly.